We start the week with the news that William Hurt passed away this past Sunday at 71 years of age. According to his son Will, “He died peacefully, surrounded by family and natural causes”. Four years ago it was learned that the actor suffered from terminal prostate cancer with metastases.
Born in Washington DC in March 1950 (this coming Sunday he would have turned 72), William Hurt he was already interested in the dramatic arts in his teens. Despite beginning theology studies, he changed careers to pursue his dream of being an actor. His first big role in the cinema would be that of Eddie Jessup in ‘An amazing trip to the back of the mind’ (‘Altered States’).
Son of a lesser god
However, William Hurt’s career was marked by his Oscar for best actor for ‘The Kiss of the Spider Woman’. In addition, he would be nominated for his next two films: ‘Children of a Lesser God’ and ‘Broadcast News’.
Despite not stopping working (‘The Accidental Tourist’, ‘The Doctor’, ‘Artificial Intelligence’), would not be nominated for an Academy Award again until ‘A history of violence’, already in 2006. He has recently been associated with Marvel as General Ross, who first appears in ‘The Incredible Hulk’.
Also in recent years we have seen him in the second season of ‘Damage’ (‘Damages’), which earned him nominations for best supporting actor in both Emmys and Golden Globes; and a notable role in the most recent ‘Goliath’.
Rest in peace.