William Hurt, the acclaimed actor best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and his work in “Broadcast News,” “A History of Violence” and “Children of a Lesser God,” has died at 71 years old. https://t.co/g2BhtVlNbIpic.twitter.com/RxvAwwgxII
According to Rolling Stone, Hurt’s son Will confirmed his father’s death in the following statement:
“It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday. He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes. The family requests privacy at this time.”
The three-time nominee for Best Actor at the Academy Awards is most recognized for such films as “Broadcast News,” “Body Heat” and “The Big Chill.”
Hurt was born on March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C.. and raised in “relative privilege,” studying both theology at Tufts University and acting at Juilliard, Variety reported.
In addition to his 1986 best actor win for “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Hurt also earned best actor nominations for “Broadcast News” and “Children of a Lesser God,” as well as supporting actor nod for less than 10 minutes of screen time in “A History of Violence.” He also earned an Emmy nomination for his small-screen role as a whistleblower in “Damages,” the entertainment news outlet reported.
God Bless William Hurt. There's no way to overstate how he dominated film acting in the 1980s. I had pics of him all over my wall as a teenager. He got an Oscar nom in "A History of Violence" for 8 minutes of screen time. He used to call me "Birdsong" in emails. Thank you, Bill. pic.twitter.com/psMRUo499E
Hurt also won over a new generation of fans with his portrayal of General Thaddeus Ross in 2008′s “The Incredible Hulk,” a role that he reprised in “Captain America: Civil War” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “Black Widow,” Variety reported.
William Hurt William Hurt, a cast member in the Amazon series "Goliath," poses for a portrait during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP) (Rich Fury/Rich Fury/Invision/AP)
William Hurt William Hurt, right, a cast member in the HBO film "Too Big to Fail," takes part in a panel discussion with Andrew Ross Sorkin, author of the book upon which the film is based, during the HBO Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
William Hurt The top-winners of the 58th annual Academy Awards pose with their Oscars, at the Music Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 24, 1986. From left are : William Hurt, best actor for "Kiss of the Spider Woman," Anjelica Huston, best supporting actress for "Prizzi's Honor," Geraldine Page, best actress for "The Trip to Bountiful," and director and producer Sidney Pollack, best picture for "Out of Africa." (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon) (LENNOX MCLENDON/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt Actor William Hurt, left, and producer Arthur Cohn pose together at the premiere of "The Yellow Handkerchief" in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) (Matt Sayles/AP)
William Hurt Actor William Hurt, left, and actress Sigourney Weaver talk during a celebration party at La Reserve in New York, August 8, 1984. The party kicked off the first Broadway performance of "Hurlyburly" at the Ethel Barrymore Theater. (AP Photo/Nancy Kaye) (Nancy Kaye/AP)
William Hurt Curtis Hanson, right, director/executive producer of the HBO film "Too Big to Fail," participates in a panel discussion with cast member William Hurt during the HBO Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt Actor William Hurt attends the world premiere of "Winter's Tale" on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) (Andy Kropa /Andy Kropa /Invision/AP)
William Hurt Actor William Hurt on the witness stand during his palimony trial in June 1989. He is being sued by former live-in girlfriend Sandra Jennings, who bore his son. (AP Photo) (AP)
William Hurt Actress Maria Bello, left, actor William Hurt, center, and actress Kristen Stewart arrive at the premiere of the feature film "The Yellow Handkerchief" in Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg) (DAN STEINBERG/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt Actress Glenn Close, left, and actor William Hurt pose on the press line at the FOX Networks Summer TCA party in Santa Monica, Calif. on Monday, July 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg) (DAN STEINBERG/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt William Hurt, who won Oscar for best actor for "Kiss of the Spider Waman," and Geraldine Page, who won Oscar for best actress for "The Trip to Bountiful " pose with their Oscars at Academy Awards in Los Angeles March 24, 1986. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon) (Lennox McLendon/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt William Hurt attends the premiere party for A&E Networks' "Bonnie and Clyde" on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
(Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
William Hurt William Hurt, left, and guest arrive for the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
William Hurt Matt Dillon, nominated for best supporting actor for his work in "Crash," right, hugs William Hurt, nominated for best supporting actor for his work in "A History of Violence," as they arrive for the 25th annual nominees luncheon hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, Feb. 13, 2006. Oscar nominees attended the function in anticipation of the Academy Awards scheduled for March 5. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (CHRIS CARLSON/AP)
William Hurt Actress Marlee Matlin and actor William Hurt arrive at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the 59th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., March 30, 1987. Both are nominated for their roles in "Children Of A Lesser God" for best actress and actor, respectively. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon) (LENNOX MCLENDON/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt John Travolta, center, poses with co-stars William Hurt, left, and Robert Pastorelli at the premiere of ?Michael,? Dec. 19, 1996 in Beverly Hills, Calif. The film also stars Jean Stapleton and Terri Garr. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
William Hurt CORRECTS TO PHYSICIST, NOT PHYSICIAN - This Oct. 10, 2013 photo shows actor William Hurt with his dog Lucy in Riverside Park in New York. Hurt portrays Dr. Richard Feynman, in "The Challenger Explosion," a film about the world-renown physicist and Nobel laureate whose sharp mind and dogged spirit led him to the design flaw that caused the space shuttle Challenger to explode in 1986. The film airs Saturday, Nov. 16, at 9 p.m. EST. (AP Photo/Frazier Moore) (Frazier Moore/AP)
William Hurt William Hurt, presenting the Oscar for best actress, gives his co-star and girlfriend Marlee Matlin a congratulatory kiss after she received the honor from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, March 31, 1987. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) (Paul Sakuma/AP)
