John Hurt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Hurt
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Hurt in January 2015
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John Vincent Hurt
22 January 1940 Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
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| Died | 25 January 2017 (aged 77) |
| Cause of death | Pancreatic cancer |
| Education | Lincoln School |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1961–2017 |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
Sir John Vincent Hurt (1940–2017) was a famous English actor. He had a long career in movies and on stage, lasting over 50 years. Many people thought he was one of Britain's best actors. Director David Lynch even called him "simply the greatest actor in the world."
John Hurt became well-known for his role as Richard Rich in the film A Man for All Seasons (1966). He was nominated for a BAFTA Award for playing Timothy Evans in 10 Rillington Place (1971). He won his first BAFTA for playing Quentin Crisp in the TV film The Naked Civil Servant (1975).
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John Hurt's Acting Career Highlights
John Hurt played many memorable characters throughout his career. He was known for taking on challenging and unique roles.
Early Roles and Breakthrough Performances
In 1976, he played Caligula in the BBC TV series I, Claudius. His role in the prison drama Midnight Express (1978) made him famous around the world. For this movie, he won Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards. He was also nominated for an Academy Award.
His role as the astronaut Kane in the science-fiction horror film Alien (1979) was also very famous. One scene from this movie is often called one of the most unforgettable in film history.
Acclaimed Roles in the 1980s
John Hurt won his third BAFTA and was nominated for his second Oscar for playing Joseph Merrick in David Lynch's film The Elephant Man (1980). This movie told the true story of a man with a severe physical condition.
Other important roles in the 1980s included:
- Bob Champion in the movie Champions (1984).
- Mr. Braddock in the drama The Hit (1984).
- Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984), based on the famous book.
- Stephen Ward in Scandal (1989).
Later Films and Voice Acting
Hurt was nominated for another BAFTA for his work in the Irish drama The Field (1990). He played the main villain, James Graham, in the adventure film Rob Roy (1995).
Later in his career, he appeared in many popular films, such as:
- The Harry Potter movies (2001–2011), where he played Mr. Ollivander.
- The Hellboy films (2004 and 2008).
- The political thriller V for Vendetta (2005).
- The sci-fi adventure Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).
- The spy film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011).
He also returned to play Quentin Crisp in An Englishman in New York (2009), which earned him his seventh BAFTA nomination. In 2013, he played the War Doctor in the BBC TV series Doctor Who.
John Hurt was also known for his unique voice. He did voice acting for many animated films and TV shows, including:
- Watership Down (1978).
- The Lord of the Rings (1978).
- The Black Cauldron (1985).
- The BBC TV series Merlin (2008–2012).
John Hurt's Personal Life
John Hurt had an older brother, Michael, who became a monk and writer. John Hurt also had an adopted sister named Monica. His father was a headmaster, and his mother passed away in 1975.
John Hurt was married four times. His first marriage to actress Annette Robertson ended in 1964. He then had a long relationship with French model Marie-Lise Volpeliere-Pierrot. Sadly, she died in an accident in 1983.
In 1984, he married Donna Peacock, but they divorced in 1990. He then married Joan Dalton in 1990, and they had two sons together. This marriage ended in 1996. In 2005, he married his fourth wife, Anwen Rees-Meyers. After this marriage, he stopped smoking and drinking. He lived in Cromer, Norfolk.
Illness and Passing
In June 2015, John Hurt shared that he had been diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer. He continued to work while getting treatment and was hopeful about getting better. In October 2015, he announced that his cancer was in remission, meaning it was under control.
Sadly, John Hurt passed away at his home in Cromer, Norfolk, on January 25, 2017. He was 77 years old, and his death happened just three days after his birthday.
Awards and Recognition
John Hurt received many awards and honors for his acting. In 2004, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This is a special honor given by the British monarch.
In 2012, he received the Lifetime Achievement BAFTA Award. This award recognized his amazing contribution to cinema over many years. In 2015, he was made a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama. This meant he could be called "Sir John Hurt."
In 2012, John Hurt was chosen by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his famous artwork. This artwork was the cover of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.
In 2016, The John Hurt Centre opened at Cinema City in Norwich. It is a place for education and exhibitions related to film.
Charity Work and Support
John Hurt was a patron for several charities. Since 2003, he supported the Proteus Syndrome Foundation in both the UK and the US. Proteus syndrome is a rare condition that Joseph Merrick, the character he played in The Elephant Man, was thought to have.
Since 2006, he was a patron of Project Harar. This UK-based charity helps children in Ethiopia who have facial disfigurements. In 2013, he also became a patron of Norwich Cinema City.
John Hurt also received honorary degrees from several universities, including the University of Derby and the University of Hull. In 2012, he became the first Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts.
Images for kids
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Cynthia Nixon, Hurt and Swoosie Kurtz in 2009
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John Hurt in 2015
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Hurt in April 2009
See also
In Spanish: John Hurt para niños
