Acting Legend John Hurt of ‘Midnight Express’ and ‘Elephant Man’ Dead at 77
Acting legend John Hurt, who appeared in "Midnight Express," "The Elephant Man" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" among many other films, has died at the age of 77, his publicist said.
A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. "The story is sadly true," publicist Charles McDonald said Friday, adding that a statement would be issued later. Hurt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.
With a career that stretches back more than 60 years, Hurt has long been a familiar face to moviegoers. In recent years, audiences recognized him as wandmaker Garrick Ollivander in the Harry Potter films, as the British dictator in "V for Vendetta" and as the disturbed Harold "Ox" Oxley in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
But Hurt is perhaps best known for his role that came some years ago. His role in "Midnight Express" earned him an Oscar nomination and his work as David Lynch's "The Elephant Man" in 1980 and as the main character in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" provided him global name recognition.
In total Hurt was nominated for two Oscars and won four BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2015, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
But he wasn't only famous for his live action roles.
Hurt had a unique voice that provided him a rich voice acting career. From the animated films "Watership Down" and "The Lord of the Rings," both made in 1978, to the popular BBC series "Merlin," Hurt's voice built entire worlds for audiences.
Hurt also held the dubious honor for the most onscreen deaths of any actor, according to a 2014 article by the Nerdist .
Movie fans might best remember such a role's outcome in the 1979 film "Alien." The first character to be killed by the creature, Hurt was impregnated with an alien embryo that later burst out of his chest during a notable dinner scene.
He amusingly reprised the role in the 1987 Mel Brooks spoof "Spaceballs" with the self-parodying line, "Oh no, not again."
Fans of the popular BBC show "Dr. Who" will remember Hurt's important role as the War Doctor.
The popular sci-fi magazine dedicated to the longtime British series, mourned Hurt's death.
In this 2015 file photo, actor John Hurt arrives for a memorial service for actor and director Richard Attenborough at Westminster Abbey in London on March 17, 2015. (C) Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters / Reuters
Acting legend John Hurt, who appeared in "Midnight Express," "The Elephant Man" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four" among many other films, has died at the age of 77, his publicist said.
A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. "The story is sadly true," publicist Charles McDonald said Friday, adding that a statement would be issued later. Hurt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.
With a career that stretches back more than 60 years, Hurt has long been a familiar face to moviegoers. In recent years, audiences recognized him as wandmaker Garrick Ollivander in the Harry Potter films, as the British dictator in "V for Vendetta" and as the disturbed Harold "Ox" Oxley in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
But Hurt is perhaps best known for his role that came some years ago. His role in "Midnight Express" earned him an Oscar nomination and his work as David Lynch's "The Elephant Man" in 1980 and as the main character in "Nineteen Eighty-Four" provided him global name recognition.
In total Hurt was nominated for two Oscars and won four BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In 2015, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.
But he wasn't only famous for his live action roles.
Hurt had a unique voice that provided him a rich voice acting career. From the animated films "Watership Down" and "The Lord of the Rings," both made in 1978, to the popular BBC series "Merlin," Hurt's voice built entire worlds for audiences.
Hurt also held the dubious honor for the most onscreen deaths of any actor, according to a 2014 article by the Nerdist .
Actor John Hurt, seen here as he appears in the movie 'Alien', in 1979. Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection / Getty Images
Movie fans might best remember such a role's outcome in the 1979 film "Alien." The first character to be killed by the creature, Hurt was impregnated with an alien embryo that later burst out of his chest during a notable dinner scene.
He amusingly reprised the role in the 1987 Mel Brooks spoof "Spaceballs" with the self-parodying line, "Oh no, not again."
Fans of the popular BBC show "Dr. Who" will remember Hurt's important role as the War Doctor.
Hurt was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and was believed to be clear of the disease later that year. In an interview at the time, the actor was philosophical.
"I can't say I worry about mortality, but it's impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it," Hurt told the Radio Times in August 2015. "We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly."
Hurt most recently appeared in the 2016 film "Jackie" alongside Natalie Portman about John F. Kennedy's wife Jackie Onassis. He will next be in the 2017 film "Darkest Hour" as British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, which is slated to come out in November.
His is survived by his wife of 12 years Anwen Rees-Meyers.
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"Midnight Express"...Fantastic! "The Elephant Man"...Unbelievable! However it had to be "Nineteen Eighty-Four" that both made him a legendary actor and earned Sir John Hurt his Knighthood! Few have come along that have been in his class or are his equal as an actor! We are lucky to have lived in a time when he was practicing his craft.
A outstanding actor. His talent was right there with the greatest of actors.
RIP John.
Dammit, another giant lost!
Back in the late 70's the local PBS station in Dallas happened to show the British productions of "The Naked Civil Servant" & "I, Claudius".
First time I'd ever seen John's work and daaaam!
The way he portrayed both, "Quentin Crisp" and "Caligula" just blew me away, making me a fan boy for life, one who always sought out any show he was a part of from that time forward.
We've lost so many greats over the last several months that I'm beginning to wonder if God is making some sort of statement.
Has she decided that the next few years are going to be so bad, so "The Trials of Job" like that she's reaching down and rapturing up some of her favorites to spare them the coming trials?
I am really sorry to hear this-- if John Hurt was in a movie, you knew it was going to be a good one! I include King Ralph in that group, which was entertaining, and he played villainous so well!
May he rest in peace! His friends and family are in my prayers!
You're right. Just seeing his name in the cast of a film made it one that you wanted to see and that you knew were going to enjoy.