Oscar-Winning Actor William Hurt Dies at 71

Hollywood recently lost another talent. Actor William Hurt, who had been an award-winning actor for the past four decades, died at the age of 71. He had memorable roles in numerous movies, including Avengers: Endgame and Black Widow.

William Hurt’s career history

Hurt graduated from Juilliard School in the 1970s and began his career as a stage actor. 

He started acting in movies starting in 1980 with a role in the film Altered States. In 1985, he starred in the movie Kiss of the Spider Woman, which landed him an Academy Award for Best Actor. He also won a BAFTA and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Additionally, he received more Oscar nominations for his roles in the films Children of a Lesser God (1986) and Broadcast News (1987).

In the 1990s and 2000s, he continued appearing in other renowned works, such as The Doctor (1991) and Sunshine (1999). In 2005, he starred in A History of Violence and was nominated for another Academy Award.

In 2007, it was announced that Hurt would join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as General Thaddeus Ross. Many younger fans might know him from this role as he had appeared in recent films such as Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Black Widow (2021).

William Hurt died of natural causes at age 71

On March 13, 2022, Hurt died of natural causes, as confirmed by friends and family. He was exactly one week away from his 72nd birthday on March 20.

According to Deadline, Hurt’s son shared in an official 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.”

In 2018, Hurt was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.

William Hurt is survived by 4 children

Hurt has four children from his various relationships.

According to The Sun, Hurt welcomed his first child, Alexander, in 1983 with his then-partner Sandra Jennings. Then, in 1989 and 1991, he welcomed sons William and Samuel with then-wife Heidi Henderson. In 1994, he dated French actor Sandrine Bonnaire and welcomed a daughter named Jeanne.

From 1971 to 1982, Hurt was married to actor Mary Beth Hurt, but the two of them did not have children together.