Veteran British Actor John Hurt Passes Away At 77
Agency Report
Oscar-nominated British actor John Hurt, known for his roles in “Elephant Man” and “Harry Potter”, has died aged 77 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his wife said Saturday.
He passed away in Norfolk, eastern England, on Wednesday, according to wife Anwen Rees Meyers.
The versatile actor played Mr Ollivander in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and in two other films in the series.
He starred in the movie adaptation of George Orwell’s novel “1984” and played the role of Kane in “Alien”.
He was twice nominated for an Oscar, in the best supporting actor category for his performance in the 1978 film “Midnight Express” as Max.
Hurt received a BAFTA award for “Midnight Express” as well as a Golden Globe in the best actor in a supporting role category.
His death was confirmed by his widow Anwen.
“It is with deep sadness that I have to confirm that my husband, John Vincent Hurt, died on Wednesday 25th January 2017 at home in Norfolk,” she said in a statement released by publicist Charles McDonald.
“John was the most sublime of actors and the most gentlemanly of gentlemen with the greatest of hearts and the most generosity of spirit. He touched all our lives with joy and magic and it will be a strange world without him.”
“Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood paid tribute to the actor, writing on Twitter: “Very sad to hear of John Hurt’s passing. It was such an honor to have watched you work, sir.”
Among many other tributes to flood in, American actor Chris Evans described Hurt as “remarkable”.
“John Hurt was one of the most powerful, giving, and effortlessly real actors I’ve ever worked with Remarkable human being. U will be missed,” he wrote on Twitter.
