William Hurt

William Hurt
Born
William McChord Hurt

(1950-03-20)March 20, 1950
DiedMarch 13, 2022(2022-03-13) (aged 71)
Other namesBill Hurt
Alma materTufts University (BA)
Juilliard School (GrDip)
OccupationActor
Years active1975–2022
Spouses
(m. 1971; div. 1982)
Heidi Henderson
(m. 1989; div. 1993)
Children4

William McChord Hurt (March 20, 1950 – March 13, 2022) was an American actor. He is widely known for his performances on stage and screen, he received various awards including an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor.

Hurt studied at the Juilliard School and began acting on stage in the 1970s. His film debut, in Ken Russell's science-fiction feature Altered States, was released in 1980, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. In 1981, he had a leading role in the neo-noir Body Heat, co-starring Kathleen Turner. His starring roles in a series of critically acclaimed films garnered three consecutive nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor: Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), which he won; Children of a Lesser God (1986), and Broadcast News (1987). During this time he also starred in The Big Chill (1983), The Accidental Tourist (1988), Alice (1990), Until the End of the World (1991), Trial by Jury (1994), Lost in Space, Dark City, and One True Thing (All in 1998), and Sunshine (1999).

Hurt earned his fourth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in David Cronenberg's crime thriller A History of Violence (2005). His later character roles include A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Tuck Everlasting and Changing Lanes (Both in 2002), The Village (2004), Syriana (2005), The Good Shepherd (2006), Mr. Brooks and Into the Wild (Both in 2007), Vantage Point and The Yellow Handkerchief (Both in 2008), Robin Hood (2010), The Host (2013), Winter's Tale (2014), Race (2016), The Miracle Season (2018), The Last Full Measure (2019), and The King's Daughter (2022). From 2008 to 2021, he portrayed Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films The Incredible Hulk (2008), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Black Widow (2021).

Hurt's various television projects included the FX legal drama Damages, which earned him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In 2011, he portrayed Henry Paulson in the HBO movie Too Big to Fail and received another Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.

On stage, Hurt appeared in off-Broadway productions including Henry V, Fifth of July, Richard II and A Midsummer Night's Dream; and made his Broadway debut in David Rabe's dark comedy Hurlyburly, for which he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Early life and education

Hurt was born on March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C., to Claire Isabel (née McGill; 1923–1971), who worked for Time Inc., and Alfred McChord Hurt (1910–1996), who worked for the United States Agency for International Development and the State Department. He had two brothers. With his father, he lived in Lahore, Mogadishu, and Khartoum. His parents divorced and, in 1960, his mother married Henry Luce III (1925–2005), a son of publisher Henry Luce.

Hurt attended the Middlesex School, where he was vice-president of the Dramatics Club and had the lead role in several school plays. He graduated in 1968 and his yearbook predicted, "you might even see him on Broadway." Hurt attended Tufts University and studied theology, but turned instead to acting and joined the Juilliard School (Drama Division Group 5: 1972–1976).

Career

Hurt began his career in stage productions. From 1977 to 1989, he was a member of the acting company at Circle Repertory Company. He won an Obie Award for his debut appearance there in Corinne Jacker's My Life, and won a 1978 Theatre World Award for his performances in Fifth of July, Ulysses in Traction, and Lulu. In 1979, Hurt played Hamlet under the direction of Marshall W. Mason opposite Lindsay Crouse and Beatrice Straight.

His first major film role was in the science-fiction film Altered States (1980), where his performance as an obsessed scientist gained him wide recognition. His performance opposite newcomer Kathleen Turner in Lawrence Kasdan's neo-noir film Body Heat (1981) elevated Hurt to stardom. Kasdan and he became frequent collaborators: Hurt co-starred in Kasdan's acclaimed comedy-dramas The Big Chill (1983) and The Accidental Tourist (1988), both of which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and he later had a supporting role in the ensemble comedy I Love You to Death (1990).

Hurt appeared in the thriller Gorky Park (1983) opposite Lee Marvin. He received the Best Male Performance Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Actor for his turn as a prisoner in Hector Babenco's drama Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1985. “Mr. Hurt won a well-deserved best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for a performance that is crafty at first, carefully nurtured and finally stirring in profound, unanticipated ways,” she wrote. “What starts out as a campy, facetious catalog of Hollywood trivia becomes an extraordinarily moving film about manhood, heroism and love.”.

He received three additional Oscar nominations: Best Actor for Children of a Lesser God (1986) and Broadcast News (1987; he was thus nominated for Best Actor for three consecutive years) and Best Supporting Actor for A History of Violence (2005). Broadcast News, a romantic comedy directed by James L. Brooks, is possibly Hurt's most acclaimed film and is included at the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

After this run of particularly prominent roles in the 1980s, Hurt began to appear more frequently in supporting roles. Some of his notable roles include performances in Dark City (1998), Lost in Space (1998), Sunshine (1999), A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Tuck Everlasting (2002), The Village (2004), A History of Violence (2005), and Syriana (2005). Hurt received particular acclaim for his role in A History of Violence, where despite less than 10 minutes of screen time, he received an Academy Award nomination.

In June 2007, Marvel Studios announced that Hurt would portray General Thaddeus Ross in the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk alongside Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, and Tim Roth. Hurt reprised his role in four additional Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films: Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Black Widow (2021).

Other later film roles included Into the Wild (2007), Mr. Brooks (2007), Vantage Point (2008), The Yellow Handkerchief (2008), and Robin Hood (2010).

Hurt had several roles in television and theater. Hurt starred in the Sci Fi Channel miniseries adaptation Frank Herbert's Dune in 2000, playing Duke Leto Atreides; it was one of Syfy's highest-rated series ever. He was in the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes, in a piece titled Battleground (known for its complete lack of dialogue). He appeared in the cast of Vanya, an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, at the Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland, Oregon. In 2009, Hurt became a series regular on the FX series Damages playing a corporate whistleblower opposite Glenn Close and Marcia Gay Harden. For his role in the series, he earned a 2009 Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" category. In September 2010, Hurt played United States Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson in the HBO film Too Big to Fail, an adaptation of Andrew Ross Sorkin's book. He also starred as Captain Ahab in the 2011 television adaptation of Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick. Hurt was set to play Gregg Allman in the film Midnight Rider, but he left the production after an on-set accident.

In 2018, Hurt was cast as the lead in The Coldest Game (2019), but after he was injured in an off-set accident, he was replaced by Bill Pullman. In one of his final roles, Hurt played opposite F. Murray Abraham in a standalone episode of Mythic Quest in 2021. Hurt had been set to appear in the series Pantheon and films The Fence, Men of Granite, and Edward Enderby before his death in March 2022, though he ultimately only appeared in Pantheon.

Personal life

Hurt was married to Mary Beth Hurt (née Supinger) from 1971 to 1982, and to Heidi Henderson from 1989 to 1993. Hurt had four children: one with Sandra Jennings; two with Henderson; and one with French actress, film director, and screenwriter Sandrine Bonnaire.

In 1981, while he was still married, Hurt and Jennings began a relationship in Saratoga Springs, New York. Jennings became pregnant in the spring of 1982, which was followed by Hurt's divorce from Mary Beth, after which Hurt and Jennings relocated to South Carolina, a state that recognized non-ceremonial common-law marriages.

Hurt and Jennings never held a marriage ceremony and later separated. Jennings sued him in New York, seeking recognition of their relationship as a common-law marriage under South Carolina law. The New York court held that the relationship between Hurt and Jennings did not qualify as a common-law marriage under South Carolina law and found in Hurt's favor that no marriage existed. During Jennings' lawsuit against Hurt, she alleged that Hurt subjected her to physical and verbal abuse. His spokesperson denied that Hurt ever beat Jennings.

Hurt was a private pilot and owner of a Beechcraft Bonanza. He was fluent in French and maintained a home outside Paris.

He dated Marlee Matlin for one year, and they cohabited for two years.[clarification needed] In her 2009 autobiography I'll Scream Later, Matlin said that their relationship involved drug use and physical violence from Hurt, including a rape. In response to the accusations aired on CNN on April 13, 2009, Hurt's agent declined to respond, but Hurt issued a statement the following day that his "own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives. Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we have both grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good."

In a 2022 essay for Variety, after Hurt had died, author Donna Kaz wrote about dating Hurt in their twenties, from 1977 to 1980. She accused Hurt of domestic abuse in the article.

Death and tributes

In May 2018, it was announced that Hurt had terminal prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. On March 13, 2022, at the age of 71, Hurt died of natural causes at his home in Portland, Oregon, just a week before his 72nd birthday.

Many paid tribute to Hurt, including Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Dennis Quaid, Marg Helgenberger, Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, John Goodman, Patton Oswalt, Albert Brooks, Bryce Dallas Howard, Maria Bello, Jonathan Frakes, Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner, Jeremy Renner, and Topher Grace.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1978 Verna: USO Girl Walter Television movie
1980 Altered States Eddie Jessup
1981 Eyewitness Daryll Deever
Body Heat Ned Racine
All the Way Home Jay Follet Television movie
1982 A Midsummer's Night Dream Oberon Television movie
1983 The Big Chill Nick
Gorky Park Arkady Renko
1985 Kiss of the Spider Woman Luis Molina
1986 Children of a Lesser God James
1987 Broadcast News Tom Grunick
1988 A Time of Destiny Martin Larraneta
The Accidental Tourist Macon Leary
1990 I Love You to Death Harlan
Alice Doug
1991 The Doctor Dr. Jack
Until the End of the World Sam Farber, alias Trevor McPhee
1992 The Plague Dr. Bernard Rieux
1993 Mr. Wonderful Tom
1994 Trial by Jury Tommy Vesey
Second Best Graham Holt
1995 Smoke Paul Benjamin
1996 A Couch in New York Henry Harriston
Michael Frank Quinlan
Jane Eyre Rochester
1997 Loved K.D. Dietrickson
1998 Lost in Space John Robinson
Dark City Inspector Frank Bumstead
One True Thing George Gulden
1999 The 4th Floor Greg Harrison
Sunshine Andor Knorr
The Big Brass Ring Blake
Do Not Disturb Walter a.k.a. Silent Witness
2000 Contaminated Man David R. Whitman
The Miracle Maker Jairus (voice)
2001 Rare Birds Restaurateur
A.I. Artificial Intelligence Professor Allen Hobby
The Simian Line Edward
The Flamingo Rising Turner Knight Television movie
Varian's War Varian Fry Television movie
2002 Tuck Everlasting Angus Tuck
Changing Lanes Doyle's Sponsor
Nearest to Heaven Matt
Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story Robert Hanssen Television movie
2004 The Blue Butterfly Alan Osbourne
The Village Edward Walker
Frankenstein Professor Professor Waldman Television movie
2005 Hunt for Justice General Montimer Television movie
The King David
A History of Violence Richie Cusack
Neverwas Dr. Peter Reed
Syriana Stan
2006 The Good Shepherd CIA Director Philip Allen
The Legend of Sasquatch John Davis (voice) Also co-producer
2007 Mr. Brooks Marshall
Beautiful Ohio Simon Messerman
Noise Mayor Schneer
Into the Wild Walt McCandless
2008 Vantage Point President Ashton
The Incredible Hulk Thaddeus Ross
2009 Endgame Professor Willie Esterhuyse Television movie
The Countess Gyorgy Thurzo
2010 The Yellow Handkerchief Brett
Robin Hood William Marshal
2011 The River Why H20
Late Bloomers Adam
Hellgate Warren Mills
Too Big to Fail Henry Paulson Television movie
2012 J'enrage de son absence Jacques
2013 The Host Jeb
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Julian Rigby
Fire in the Blood Narrator (voice) Documentary
Days and Nights Herb
The Challenger Disaster Richard Feynman Television movie
2014 Winter's Tale Isaac Penn
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them Julian Rigby
2016 Race Jeremiah Mahoney
Captain America: Civil War Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross
2018 The Miracle Season Ernie Found
Avengers: Infinity War Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross
2019 Avengers: Endgame Cameo
The Last Full Measure Tom Tulley
2021 Black Widow Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross
2022 The King's Daughter Père La Chaise Filmed in 2014

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1977 The Best of Families James Lathrop Miniseries
Kojak Jake 2 episodes
1989 Saturday Night Live Himself Episode: "Glenn Close/Gipsy Kings"
1998 Lee Marvin: A Personal Portrait by John Boorman Himself Documentary
2000 Frank Herbert's Dune Duke Leto I Atreides 3 episodes
2002 The King of Queens Dr. Taber Episode: "Shrink Wrap"
2006 Nightmares & Dreamscapes Jason Renshaw Episode: "Battleground"
2009 Damages Daniel Purcell 10 episodes
2011 Moby Dick Captain Ahab 2 episodes
2013 Bonnie & Clyde Frank Hamer 2 episodes
2015 Humans George Millican 7 episodes
2016 Beowulf Hrothgar 5 episodes
2016–21 Goliath Donald Cooperman 14 episodes
2018–20 Condor Bob Partridge 11 episodes
2021 Mythic Quest Peter Cromwell Episode: "Peter"
2022 Pantheon Stephen Holstrom (voice) Posthumous release

Video games

Year Game Role Notes
2008 The Incredible Hulk Thaddeus Ross Voice only

Audiobooks

Year Book Author Role Notes Ref(s)
1989 The Polar Express Chris Van Allsburg Narrator Cassette tape only
2001 Hearts in Atlantis Stephen King
2006 The Sun Also Rises Ernest Hemingway
2006 Selected Shorts: Falling in Love Various
2009 Selected Shorts: The William Hurt Collection Various
2014 Consumed David Cronenberg
2016 The Boy Who Drew Cats Translated by Lafcadio Hearn Japanese fairy tale

Theater

Year Project Role Venue
1975 Henry V Lord Scroop / Interpreter / Bates Delacorte Theatre, The Public Theatre
1978 Fifth of July Kenneth Talley Jr. Sheridan Square Playhouse, Off-Broadway
1981 Childe Byron Byron Circle Repertory Theatre, Off-Broadway
1982 A Midsummer Night's Dream Oberon Delacorte Theatre, The Public Theatre
1984-85 Hurlyburly Eddie Goodman Theatre, Chicago
Broadway debut
1989 Beside Herself Augie-Jake Circle Repertory Theatre, Off-Broadway
1990 Love Letters Andrew Makepeace Ladd III Promenade Theatre, Off-Broadway
1990 Ivanov Nikolai Alexeyevich Ivanov Yale Repertory Theatre, CT
1992 Good John Halder American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
2010 Long Day's Journey into Night James Tyrone Sydney Theatre Company

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
1980 Golden Globe Award Best New Actor – Motion Picture Altered States Nominated
1985 Academy Award Best Actor Kiss of the Spider Woman Won
BAFTA Award Best Actor in a Leading Role Won
Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated
Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Won
David di Donatello Award Best Foreign Actor Won
London Film Critics Circle Award Actor of the Year Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Best Actor Won
National Board of Review Best Actor (tied with Raul Julia) Won
National Society of Film Critics Best Actor Nominated
New York Film Critics Circle Best Actor Nominated
1986 Academy Award Best Actor Children of a Lesser God Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated
1987 Academy Award Best Actor Broadcast News Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated
New York Film Critics Circle Award Best Actor Nominated
1988 Golden Horse Award Best Foreign Actor The Accidental Tourist Won
1991 Chicago Film Critics Association Award Best Actor The Doctor Nominated
1999 Genie Award Best Actor in a Supporting Role Sunshine Nominated
2001 Satellite Award Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Varian's War Nominated
2005 Academy Award Best Supporting Actor A History of Violence Nominated
Austin Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actor Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Won
New York Film Critics Circle Award Best Supporting Actor Won
North Texas Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actor Won
Utah Film Critics Association Award Best Supporting Actor Won
Saturn Award Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2007 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Into the Wild Nominated
2009 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Damages Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor – Television Nominated
2009 Satellite Award Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Endgame Nominated
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Too Big to Fail Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
Satellite Award Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated
2013 Satellite Award Best Supporting Actor – Television Bonnie & Clyde Nominated

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