John Hurt, born 1940, was an English actor and voice actor who had a career spanning over six decades. His stellar performances in films such as The Elephant Man, Midnight Express, and Alien earned him critical acclaim and two Academy Award nominations. He was also known for his iconic role as wand-maker Ollivander in the Harry Potter films.
Hurt began his acting career at age 24, appearing in the BBC television series Z Cars. He quickly rose to prominence in the 1960s, starring in the horror film The Curse of the Werewolf and the acclaimed drama A Man for All Seasons. His performance as Quentin Crisp in the 1975 television film The Naked Civil Servant earned him a BAFTA award and international recognition.
Hurt’s standout performances continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with his role as John Merrick in The Elephant Man particularly memorable. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Merrick and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from BAFTA. Other notable performances include Midnight Express, Rob Roy, and V For Vendetta.
In addition to acting onscreen, Hurt also lent his voice to a number of films. He provided the voice of Aragorn in Ralph Bakshi’s animated Lord of the Rings film and voiced Hazel, Fiver, and Bigwig in the 1978 film adaptation of Watership Down. He was also the narrator for numerous documentaries, including National Geographic’s Walking with Dinosaurs series.
Throughout his career, Hurt received numerous awards and accolades. In 2004 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to drama, and in 2012 he was made a Companion of Honour (CH). He was awarded a Bafta Fellowship in 2013.
John Hurt passed away in 2017 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His legacy lives on in the form of his memorable performances and his influence on generations of actors.
Though John Hurt is no longer with us, his family have found a way to keep his memory alive with Familio – a digital family app that allows them to share photos, videos, stories and more about their beloved family member. Through Familio’s private family network, they can keep John Hurt alive by preserving his legacy for generations to come.
John Hurt will forever be remembered as one of the most beloved actors of all time. His remarkable talent and passion for acting has left an indelible mark on the world of film and television. Celebrate John Hurt’s legacy by watching one of his classic films today!