Hollywood mourns Oscar-winning actor’s death
Hollywood mourned Oscar-winning actor William Hurt Sunday, after his death at 71. His son, Will, attributed the death to natural causes, but Hurt was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2018.
Hurt was one of the most acclaimed stars and bankable leading men of the 1980s, starring as Vietnam veteran Nick Carlton in the all-star ensemble playing college friends reuniting in 1983’s “The Big Chill.” He was also well-known for “Kiss of the Spider Woman” (for which he won his leading-actor Oscar), “Broadcast News” and “Children of a Lesser God.”
Hurt’s son, Will, said in a statement to the Associated Press that Hurt died peacefully Sunday, among family. Will Hurt told The Hollywood Reporter his father died at his home in Portland, Oregon.
Albert Brooks, Hurt’s co-star in James L. Brooks’ 1987 film “Broadcast News,” wrote about Hurt’s passing. “So sad to hear this news,” Brooks tweeted. “Working with him on ‘Broadcast News’ was amazing. He will be greatly missed.”
Hulk and Marvel star Mark Ruffalo wrote on Twitter, “Wow, another Major loss to the acting community. Great actor. Great mind. RIP.”
On the Critics Choice Awards red carpet Sunday, J.K. Simmons recalled being inspired by Hurt’s career as an up-and-coming actor, though the two actors never met.
“I just believed him,” Simmons told USA TODAY. “I always believed him, and, to me, that’s our ultimate goal as actors. He’ll be sorely missed.”
“Saddened to hear of the passing of actor William Hurt. He broke the mold in his Oscar-winning role in Kiss of the Spider Woman, broke smiles in Broadcast News, and broke our hearts in The Accidental Tourist. A great loss to the world. Rest among the stars now, good sir,” George Takei tweeted.
Author Stephen King also shared a few words on Twitter, writing: “Very sorry to hear about the passing of William Hurt. He was a fine actor, an Academy Award winner. He also did a classic reading of my story ‘Low Men in Yellow Coats,’ from HEARTS IN ATLANTIS. I loved hitchhiking on his immense talent.”
Former “Young and the Restless” star Barbara Crampton referred to Hurt as the “most intuitive and in the moment actors.”
“So truthful, real and always compelling. Too young to be saying goodbye. This one hurts Rip William Hurt,” Crampton tweeted.
Russell Crowe mourned his co-star from the 2011 film “Robin Hood,” sharing his favorite memory from set.
“I was aware of his reputation for asking character based questions, so I had compiled a file on the life of William Marshall,” Crowe tweeted. “He sought me out when he arrived on set. I handed him the stack. Not sure if I’ve ever seen a bigger smile. RIP.”
Topher Grace, who appeared alongside Hurt in the 2011 HBO film “Too Big To Fail” about the 2008 U.S. financial crisis, tweeted he was “grateful” to have “had the opportunity to work” with Hurt.
“I admired his acting so much and watching his commitment in person was remarkable,” Grace added. “My thoughts are with his family.”
Director M. Night Shyamalan, who worked with Hurt on 2004’s “The Village,” tweeted: “I’m so sad to hear of the passing of William Hurt. I had the privilege of directing him in The Village. He was a master of his acting craft. Every take was new and revealing.”
Antonio Banderas shared a photo of Hurt on Twitter and wrote: “A great actor has left us. RIP William Hurt.”
“Sad to hear about William Hurt,” tweeted Elijah Wood. “Such a legend.”
Patton Oswalt shared a photo from when Hurt guest starred on “The King of Queens,” dubbing him a “beyond brilliant film & stage actor.”
More:Remembering William Hurt: Oscar winner dead at 71
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