Hugh Hurd facts for kids

Hugh Lincoln Hurd (born February 11, 1925 – died July 15, 1995) was an American actor. He was also a civil rights activist. This means he worked hard to make sure all people, especially African Americans, had equal rights.

Hugh Hurd was famous for his main role in the 1959 movie Shadows. This was the first film directed by John Cassavetes. He was also known for helping to organize actors who were African American. He worked to fight against unfair treatment in the acting world.

Hugh Hurd's Life and Career

Hugh Lincoln Hurd was born in New York City. He became a well-known actor. His most important acting jobs were in two films. One was the 1959 movie Shadows. The other was the Japanese film The Catch from 1961. In The Catch, he played a soldier who was a prisoner of war.

He also appeared in other movies. These included The Winner (1963) and For Love of Ivy (1968). Later films were The Hot Rock (1972) and Blade (1973). He also acted in The First Deadly Sin (1980) and Liebestraum (1991). His last films were Jumpin' at the Boneyard (1992) and Who's the Man? (1993).

Besides movies, Hugh Hurd had small parts in TV shows and commercials. His very last film was a documentary in 1995 called Anything for John. He also performed in plays. These included The Threepenny Opera and The Little Foxes.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Hugh Hurd was very active in fighting against unfair treatment. He worked to help African Americans get equal opportunities. This was especially true for African-American actors. In the late 1950s, he helped raise money for Martin Luther King Jr.. He worked with Godfrey Cambridge and Maya Angelou at a club called the Village Gate. They raised $9,000 to support the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1962, Hugh Hurd and Godfrey Cambridge started a group. It was called the Committee for the Employment of Negro Performers. This group worked to create more job chances for Black actors.

In 1964, a famous artist named Alice Neel painted a picture of Hugh Hurd. The painting is called "Hugh Hurd." You can see it today at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Hugh Hurd passed away on July 15, 1995. He died in Greenwich Village, New York City. He was at St. Vincent's Hospital. His family said he died from problems with high blood pressure and kidney failure.

His Family Life

Hugh Hurd was married to Dr. Merlyn Hurd. They had three daughters together. Their names are Denise, Adrienne, and Michelle Hurd. Michelle Hurd is also an actress. She is famous for her roles in TV shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Blindspot, and Star Trek: Picard. Hugh Hurd also had a fourth daughter from an earlier relationship.

Hugh Hurd's Movies