William Hurt
| William Hurt | |
|---|---|
_crop.jpg) Hurt signing autographs at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival | |
| Born |
William McChord Hurt March 20, 1950 Washington, D.C., United States |
| Education |
Tufts University Juilliard School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Beth Hurt (1971–1982) Heidi Henderson (1989–1992) |
| Partner(s) |
Sandra Jennings (1981–1984) Marlee Matlin (1985–1986) Sandrine Bonnaire (1992–1997) |
William McChord Hurt[1][2] (born March 20, 1950) is an American stage and film actor. He received his acting training at the Juilliard School and began acting on stage in the 1970s. Hurt made his film debut as a troubled scientist in the science-fiction feature Altered States (1980), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. He subsequently played a leading role, as a lawyer who succumbs to the temptations of Kathleen Turner, in the well-received neo-noir Body Heat (1981).
In 1985, Hurt garnered substantial critical acclaim and multiple acting awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor, for portraying an effeminate gay man in Kiss of the Spider Woman. He received another two Academy Award nominations for his lead performances in Children of a Lesser God (1986) and Broadcast News (1987). Hurt remained an active stage actor throughout the 1980s, appearing in Off-Broadway productions, including Henry V, Fifth of July, Richard II and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hurt received his first Tony Award nomination in 1985 for the Broadway production of Hurlyburly.
After playing a diversity of character roles in the following decade, Hurt earned his fourth Academy Award nomination for his supporting performance in David Cronenberg's crime thriller A History of Violence (2005). Other notable films in recent years have included A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), The Village (2004), Syriana (2005), The Good Shepherd (2006), Mr. Brooks (2007), Into the Wild (2007), The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Robin Hood (2010).
Early life and education
Hurt was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Claire Isabel (née McGill), who worked at Time, Inc., and Alfred McChord Hurt, who worked for the State Department.[3] With his father, he lived in Lahore, Mogadishu and Khartoum.[4] After his parents divorced, his mother married Henry Luce III (a son of publisher Henry Luce) during Hurt's childhood. Hurt graduated from Middlesex School in 1968 where he was vice president of the Dramatics Club and had the lead role in several school plays. His high school yearbook predicted: "With characteristics such as these, you might even see him on Broadway." Hurt attended Tufts University and studied theology,[5] but turned instead to acting and joined the Juilliard School (Drama Division Group 5: 1972–1976).[6] Two of his classmates there were the late actors Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams.
Career
Hurt appeared first on stage, only later turning to film. From 1977 to 1989, he was a member of the acting company at Circle Repertory Company. He won an Obie Award for his debut appearance there in Corinne Jacker's My Life, and won a 1978 Theatre World Award for his performances in Fifth of July, Ulysses in Traction, and Lulu. In 1979, Hurt played Hamlet under the direction of Marshall W. Mason opposite Lindsay Crouse and Beatrice Straight. His first major film role was in the science-fiction film Altered States where his performance as an obsessed scientist gained him wide recognition. His performance with Richard Crenna, Ted Danson and newcomer Kathleen Turner in Lawrence Kasdan's neo-noir classic Body Heat elevated Hurt to stardom, and he later also co-starred in The Big Chill (1983). He appeared in the thriller Gorky Park opposite Lee Marvin. He received the Best Male Performance Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Actor for Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1985. He has received three additional Oscar nominations: Best Actor for Children of a Lesser God (1986) and Broadcast News (1987; he was thus nominated for Best Actor for three consecutive years) and Best Supporting Actor for A History Of Violence (2005). Hurt also starred in Tuck Everlasting as Angus Tuck.
Often cast as an intellectual, Hurt has put this to good use in films such as Lost in Space, but has also been effective in other kinds of role, such as those in I Love You to Death and David Cronenberg's psychological drama A History of Violence (2005), where in less than ten minutes of screen time he plays the creepy mob boss, Richie Cusack. Also in 2005, Hurt played a mysterious government operative in Stephen Gaghan's ensemble drama about the politics of big oil, Syriana.
Hurt was in the mini-series adaptation of Stephen King's Nightmares and Dreamscapes, in a piece entitled Battleground (also notable for its complete lack of dialogue). He plays Renshaw, a hitman who receives a package from the widow of a toymaker he had killed, unaware of what is waiting inside for him. He appeared in the cast of Vanya, an adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya, at the Artists Repertory Theatre in Portland, Oregon.[7]
He appeared in Sean Penn's film Into the Wild, the true story of Christopher McCandless. Hurt next starred as General Thunderbolt Ross in The Incredible Hulk alongside Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and Tim Roth. He appeared as President Henry Ashton in the 2008 action-thriller Vantage Point. Hurt also played Mr. Brooks's alter ego in Mr. Brooks starring Kevin Costner.
In 2009, Hurt became a series regular on the FX series Damages playing a corporate whistleblower opposite Glenn Close and Marcia Gay Harden. For his role in the series, Hurt earned a 2009 Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" category. Hurt's 2009 Sundance film The Yellow Handkerchief was released in theaters on February 26, 2010 by Samuel Goldwyn Films. He was in the Thailand-based 2011 thriller Hellgate alongside Cary Elwes and Paula Taylor, directed by John Penney.[8]
In September 2010, Hurt played United States Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson in the HBO film Too Big to Fail, an adaptation of Andrew Ross Sorkin's book. He also starred as Captain Ahab in the 2011 television adaptation of Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.
Personal life
Hurt is fluent in French and maintains a home outside Paris. He is the step-grandson of Henry Luce, founder of Time magazine and actress-writer Clare Boothe Luce, through his mother's marriage to Henry Luce's son from his first marriage, Henry Luce III.[9] Hurt was married to Mary Beth Hurt from 1971 to 1982.[9]
In the 1980s, Hurt was involved in a lawsuit with Sandra Jennings, who alleged that the two shared a common-law marriage.[10] While he was still married, Hurt and Jennings had begun a relationship in Saratoga Springs, New York, in 1981.[10] Jennings became pregnant in the spring of 1982 which precipitated Hurt's divorce from Mary Beth Hurt, after which Hurt and Jennings relocated to South Carolina, a state that recognized common-law marriages.[10] Hurt and Jennings, never officially married, later separated and Jennings sued him in New York, seeking recognition of the "marriage" under South Carolina law.[10] The New York court, which did not recognize common-law marriage and was reluctant to recognize a common-law marriage originating in South Carolina, found in Hurt's favor that no common-law marriage existed.[10]
Hurt dated Marlee Matlin for one year, and they lived together for two years.[11] In her 2009 autobiography I'll Scream Later, Matlin claimed that their relationship involved considerable drug abuse and physical abuse by Hurt.[12] In response to the accusations aired on CNN on April 13, 2009, Hurt's agent declined to respond, but Hurt issued a statement the following day, which said: "My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives. Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we have both grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good."[13]
Hurt has four children: Alexander with Sandra Jennings, Sam and William with Heidi Henderson, and Jeanne with actress Sandrine Bonnaire.[9]
During the filming of Kiss of the Spider Woman, Hurt and a friend were threatened at gunpoint but were let go several hours later.[4]
Hurt is a private pilot and owner of a Beechcraft Bonanza.[14]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Altered States | Edward Jessup, ProfessorProfessor Edward Jessup | Nominated – Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actor |
| 1981 | Eyewitness | Daryll Deever | |
| 1981 | Body Heat | Ned Racine | |
| 1983 | Big Chill, TheThe Big Chill | Nick Carlton | |
| 1983 | Gorky Park | Arkady Renko | |
| 1985 | Kiss of the Spider Woman | Luis Alberto Molina | Academy Award for Best Actor BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor Award David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Actor London Film Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor National Board of Review Award for Best Actor (tied with Raul Julia) Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama Nominated – National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor Nominated – New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor |
| 1986 | Children of a Lesser God | James Leeds | Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama |
| 1987 | Broadcast News | Tom Grunick | Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated – New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor |
| 1988 | Time of Destiny, AA Time of Destiny | Martin Larraneta | |
| 1988 | Accidental Tourist, TheThe Accidental Tourist | Macon Leary | Golden Horse Award for Best Foreign Actor |
| 1990 | I Love You to Death | Harlan James | |
| 1990 | Alice | Doug Tate | |
| 1991 | Until the End of the World | Sam Farber, alias Trevor McPhee | |
| 1991 | Doctor, TheThe Doctor | Jack MacKee, Dr.Dr. Jack MacKee | Nominated – Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor |
| 1992 | The Plague | Bernard Rieux, DoctorDoctor Bernard Rieux | |
| 1993 | Mr. Wonderful | Tom | |
| 1994 | Second Best | Graham Holt | |
| 1995 | Smoke | Paul Benjamin | |
| 1996 | Couch in New York, AA Couch in New York | Henry Harriston | |
| 1996 | Michael | Frank Quinlan | |
| 1996 | Jane Eyre | Edward Fairfax Rochester | |
| 1997 | Loved | K.D. Dietrickson | |
| 1998 | Lost in Space | John Robinson, ProfessorProfessor John Robinson | |
| 1998 | Dark City | Frank Bumstead, InspectorInspector Frank Bumstead | |
| 1998 | One True Thing | George Gulden | |
| 1999 | The 4th Floor | Greg Harrison | |
| 1999 | Sunshine | Andor Knorr | Nominated – Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role |
| 1999 | Big Brass Ring, TheThe Big Brass Ring | William Blake Pellarin | |
| 1999 | Do Not Disturb | Walter Richmond | a.k.a. Silent Witness |
| 2000 | Contaminated Man | David R. Whitman | |
| 2000 | Miracle Maker, TheThe Miracle Maker | Jairus | Voice only |
| 2001 | Rare Birds | Restaurateur | |
| 2001 | A.I. Artificial Intelligence | Allen Hobby, ProfessorProfessor Allen Hobby | |
| 2001 | Simian Line, TheThe Simian Line | Edward | |
| 2002 | Tuck Everlasting | Angus Tuck | |
| 2002 | Changing Lanes | Doyle Gipson's AA Sponsor | |
| 2002 | Nearest to Heaven | Matt | |
| 2004 | Blue Butterfly, TheThe Blue Butterfly | Alan Osborne | |
| 2004 | Village, TheThe Village | Edward Walker | |
| 2005 | King, TheThe King | David Sandow | |
| 2005 | History of Violence, AA History of Violence | Richie Cusack | Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – International Cinephile Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated – Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2005 | Neverwas | Peter Reed, Dr.Dr. Peter Reed | |
| 2005 | Syriana | Stan Goff | |
| 2006 | Good Shepherd, TheThe Good Shepherd | Philip Allen, CIA DirectorCIA Director Philip Allen | |
| 2006 | Legend of Sasquatch, TheThe Legend of Sasquatch | John Davis | Voice only Co-Producer |
| 2007 | Mr. Brooks | Marshall | |
| 2007 | Beautiful Ohio | Simon Messerman | |
| 2007 | Noise | Schneer, MayorMayor Schneer | |
| 2007 | Into the Wild | Walt McCandless | Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture |
| 2008 | Vantage Point | Ashton, PresidentPresident Ashton | |
| 2008 | Incredible Hulk, TheThe Incredible Hulk | General Ross | |
| 2009 | Countess, TheThe Countess | György Thurzó | |
| 2010 | Yellow Handkerchief, TheThe Yellow Handkerchief | Brett Hanson | |
| 2010 | Robin Hood | William Marshal | |
| 2011 | River Why, TheThe River Why | Gus's Father | |
| 2011 | Late Bloomers | Adam | |
| 2011 | Hellgate | Warren Mills | |
| 2013 | The Host | Jeb Stryder | |
| 2013 | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby | Julian Rigby | |
| 2013 | Fire in the Blood | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2013 | Days and Nights | Herb | |
| 2014 | Winter's Tale | Isaac Penn | |
| 2015 | The Moon and the Sun | Pere La Chaise | Post-production |
| 2015 | By Way of Helena | Governor Ross | Filming |
| 2016 | Race | Jeremiah Mahoney | Filming |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Kojak | Jake | 2 episodes |
| 1978 | Verna: U.S.O. Girl | Walter | Television movie |
| 2000 | Frank Herbert's Dune | Leto Atreides, DukeDuke Leto Atreides | 3 episodes |
| 2001 | The Flamingo Rising | Turner Knight | TV film |
| 2001 | Varian's War | Varian Fry | Television movie Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2002 | The King of Queens | Taber, Dr.Dr. Taber | Episode: "Shrink Wrap" |
| 2002 | Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story | Robert Hanssen | Television movie |
| 2004 | Frankenstein | Waldman, ProfessorProfessor Waldman | Television movie |
| 2006 | Nightmares and Dreamscapes | Jason Renshaw | Episode: "Battleground" |
| 2009 | Damages | Daniel Purcell | 10 episodes Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor – Drama Series |
| 2009 | Endgame | Willie Esterhuyse | TV movie Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2011 | Moby Dick | Captain Ahab | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Too Big to Fail | Henry Paulson | Television movie Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2013 | Bonnie & Clyde | Frank Hamer | 2 episodes Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film |
| 2013 | The Challenger | Richard Feynman | Television movie |
| 2015 | Humans | George Millican | |
See also
References
- ↑ Obituary - "Survivors include two sons from his first marriage, the actor William McChord Hurt and James Harlan Hurt, both of New York; and five grandchildren"
- ↑ Findacase
- ↑ "William Hurt – Profile, Latest News and Related Articles". Eonline.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "William Hurt: In Every Role, A New Life To Inhabit". NPR. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ↑ "William Hurt". All Movie Guide. New York Times.
- ↑ "Alumni News: September 2007". Juilliard.edu. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011.
William Hurt (Group 5)
- ↑ "William Hurt returns to Portland for 'Vanya'". Portland Tribune. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ↑ "AFM '09: See Carey Elwes in 'Shadows' Promo Trailer". Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Overview for William Hurt". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Jennings v. Hurt, N.Y.L.J., Oct 4, 1989, at 24 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. County), aff'd, 554 N.Y.S.2d 220 (App. Div. 1990), appeal denied, 568 N.Y.S.2d 347 (N.Y. 1991)
- ↑ Matlin, Marlee. I'll Scream Later. (2009)
- ↑ "Marlee Matlin: Baby sitter's abuse led to life of drugs, violence." CNN. April 14, 2009
- ↑ Grossberg, Josh. "William Hurt to Marlee Matlin: "I Apologize for Any Pain I Caused"." Eonline.com. April 14, 2009
- ↑ "A Plane-crazy America". AOPA Pilot: 79.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to William Hurt. |
- William Hurt at the Internet Movie Database
- William Hurt at the Internet Broadway Database
- William Hurt at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Comprehensive career-overview interview with William Hurt
|