Born: January 22, 1940 – Died: January 25, 2017
John Hurt, a distinct and revered actor, graced both stage and screen with his remarkable talent. Born into the coal mining community of Shirebrook, Derbyshire, England, on January 22, 1940, John was the youngest son of Phyllis, an amateur actress and engineer, and Reverend Arnould Herbert Hurt, a mathematician and Anglican clergyman. His family background hinted at a blend of art and intellect, which would vividly color his career. Hurt's portfolio boasts an array of characters that have etched a permanent mark on the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career
Raised in a home where academia and the arts were equally revered, John Hurt was initially drawn to painting and attended Grimsby Art School, followed by St. Martin's School of Art. However, his true calling led him to acting, and he was accepted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1960. His stage debut was modest, but his commitment to the craft was evident.
Hurt's film debut, a minor role in the 1962 British "angry young man" drama "The Wild and the Willing," set the stage for his future endeavors. His breakthrough came with the film "A Man for All Seasons" in 1966, where his portrayal of the hapless Richard Rich garnered him critical acclaim. The turning point in Hurt's career was his haunting performance as John Merrick in "The Elephant Man" (1980), a role that not only brought him into the international spotlight but also earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Throughout his career, Hurt received numerous awards, including a BAFTA for his outstanding performance as Quentin Crisp in the television play "The Naked Civil Servant" (1975). His distinctive voice led him to narrate many projects, while his versatility was showcased in roles ranging from a Roman emperor to a beloved wand-maker in the "Harry Potter" series.
Hurt's personal life was as full as his professional one. He was married four times and had a history of alcoholism, which he overcame. Known for his philanthropic work, Hurt was honored with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 and was knighted in 2015. Sadly, after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer, Hurt passed away in January 2017.
His profound impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry is undeniable. Hurt was an actor's actor, fearless in his choices and always bringing a deep humanity to his roles. This legacy, his distinctive voice, and his courageous portrayals of complex characters are what make John Hurt an undoubted icon of the screen.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Damascus Cover | Miki |
| 2017 | That Good Night | Ralph |
| 2017 | My Name Is Lenny | Leslie Salmon |
| 2017 | Imagine (Short) | Priest |
| 2016 | The Pity of War: The Loves and Lives of the War Poets (TV Movie) | Older Sassoon |
| 2016 | Back to Utopia | Professor Peter Panludic (voice) |
| 2016 | The Journey | Harry Patterson |
| 2016 | Jackie | The Priest |
| 2016 | ChickLit | Francis Bonar |
| 2016 | Unfinished Tales: The Alchemist (Short) | Father 'The Alchemist' |
| 2015 | The Last Panthers (TV Mini Series) | Tom Kendle |
| 2015 | Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure | Sailor John (UK & US) (voice) |
| 2015 | A.K.A Nadia | 347 |
| 2015 | Break (Short) | Jack |
| 2015 | The Alchemist's Letter (Short) | The Alchemist (voice) |
| 2014 | Hercules | Lord Cotys |
| 2013 | Doctor Who (TV Series) | The Doctor |
| 2013 | Snowpiercer | Gilliam |
| 2013 | Swan Lake 3D - Live from the Mariinsky Theatre | The Voice of the Winter Palace | Self |
| 2013 | Only Lovers Left Alive | Christopher Marlowe |
| 2013 | Look Again (Short) | Harry |
| 2013 | King Lear: Scene 133 (Short) | King Lear |
| 2013 | Charlie Countryman | Narrator (voice) |
| 2008–2012 | Merlin (TV Series) | The Dragon | Voice of the Dragon |
| 2012 | Labyrinth (TV Mini Series) | Audric Baillard |
| 2012 | The Hollow Crown (TV Series) | The Chorus |
| 2012 | Playhouse Presents (TV Series) | The Ministry (voice) |
| 2012 | Sightseers | Narrator - Blake's "Jerusalem" (voice, uncredited) |
| 2012 | In Love with Alma Cogan | Master of Ceremonies |
| 2012 | Jayne Mansfield's Car | Kingsley Bedford |
| 2011 | Sailcloth (Short) | Man |
| 2011 | The Gruffalo's Child (TV Movie) | Owl (voice) |
| 2011 | Immortals | Old Man |
| 2011 | Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy | Control |
| 2011 | 23 Degrees, 5 Minutes (Short) | Professor Orit |
| 2011 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 | Ollivander |
| 2011 | Melancholia | Dexter |
| 2011 | The Confession (TV Mini Series) | Priest |
| 2010 | Whistle and I'll Come to You (TV Movie) | James Parkin |
| 2010 | Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie | Brother Carnak (voice) |
| 2010 | Love at First Sight (Short) | Arthur |
| 2010 | Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 | Ollivander |
| 2010 | Brighton Rock | Phil Corkery |
| 2010 | A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures | Grandpa Sammy (voice) |
| 2010 | Lou | Doyle |
| 2009 | The Gruffalo (TV Movie) | Owl (voice) |
| 2009 | 44 Inch Chest | Old Man Peanut |
| 2009 | The Limits of Control | Guitar |
| 2009 | An Englishman in New York | Quentin Crisp |
| 2008 | New York, I Love You | Bellhop (segment "Shekhar Kapur") |
| 2008 | Lezione 21 | Mondrian Kilroy |
| 2008 | Outlander | Rolhgar |
| 2008 | Hellboy II: The Golden Army | Professor Broom |
| 2008 | Recount (TV Movie) | Warren Christopher |
| 2008 | Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull | Professor Oxley |
| 2008 | The Oxford Murders | Arthur Seldom |
| 2007 | Masters of Science Fiction (TV Series) | Samswope |
| 2007 | Hellboy Animated: Blood and Iron (TV Movie) | Professor Trevor 'Broom' Bruttenholm (voice) |
| 2007 | Boxes | Le Père de Fanny |
| 2006 | Perfume: The Story of a Murderer | Narrator (voice) |
| 2005 | Doctor Who: The Night of the Doctor | Video | The War Doctor |
| 2005 | V for Vendetta | Adam Sutler |
| 2005 | The Proposition | Jellon Lamb |
| 2005 | Shooting Dogs | Christopher |
| 2005 | The Skeleton Key | Ben Devereaux |
| 2005 | Manderlay | Narrator (voice) |
| 2005 | Valiant | Felix (voice) |
| 2005 | Short Order | Felix |
| 2004 | The Alan Clark Diaries (TV Series) | Alan Clark |
| 2004 | Pride (TV Movie) | Harry (voice) |
| 2004 | Hellboy | Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm |
| 2003 | Suede: Attitude (Music Video) | Unknown |
| 2003 | Dogville | Narrator (voice) |
| 2003 | Meeting Che Guevara & the Man from Maybury Hill (Short) | Man from Maybury Hill |
| 2003 | Owning Mahowny | Victor Foss |
| 2002 | Bait (TV Movie) | Jack Blake |
| 2002 | Crime and Punishment | Porfiry - Chief Investigator |
| 2002 | Miranda | Christian |
| 2001 | Tabloid | Vince |
| 2001 | Great Performances (TV Series) | Narrator |
| 2001 | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone | Mr. Ollivander |
| 2001 | Captain Corelli's Mandolin | Dr. Iannis |
| 2000 | Lost Souls | Father Lareaux |
| 1999–2000 | Watership Down (TV Series) | General Woundwort (voice) |
| 2000 | Krapp's Last Tape (TV Movie) | Krapp |
| 2000 | The Tigger Movie | Narrator (voice) |
| 1999 | New Blood | Alan White |
| 1999 | You're Dead... | Maitland |
| 1999 | If... Dog... Rabbit | Sean Cooper |
| 1999 | A Monkey's Tale | Sebastian (English version, voice) |
| 1999 | Alien: Outtakes | Video | Kane |
| 1999 | Alien: Deleted Scenes | Video | Kane |
| 1998 | Tender Loving Care (Video Game) | Dr. Turner (voice) |
| 1998 | Night Train | Michael Poole |
| 1998 | All the Little Animals | Mr. Summers |
| 1998 | Saturday Night Live (TV Series) | March Hare |
| 1998 | The Commissioner | James Morton |
| 1997 | My Funny Valentine (Short) | Happy Prince (voice) |
| 1997 | Bandyta | Babits |
| 1997 | The Climb | Chuck Langer |
| 1997 | Contact | S.R. Hadden |
| 1997 | Love and Death on Long Island | Giles De'Ath |
| 1996 | Privateer 2: The Darkening (Video Game) | Joe Kane |
| 1996 | Tender Loving Care | Video | Dr. Turner |
| 1995 | Divine Rapture (Short) | Doctor |
| 1995 | Picture Windows (TV Series) | Le Compte |
| 1995 | Two Nudes Bathing (Short) | Marquis de Prey |
| 1995 | Wild Bill | Charley Prince |
| 1995 | Screen Two (TV Series) | Jack Lee |
| 1995 | Everyman (TV Series) | Eric Lomax |
| 1995 | Dead Man | John Scholfield |
| 1995 | Rob Roy | Montrose |
| 1994 | Rabbit Ears: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp | Video | Storyteller |
| 1994 | Felidae | Pascal | Preterius (Canada Version: US version, voice) |
| 1994 | Second Best | Uncle Turpin |
| 1994 | Great Moments in Aviation | Rex Goodyear |
| 1994 | Thumbelina | Mr. Mole (voice) |
| 1993 | Even Cowgirls Get the Blues | The Countess |
| 1993 | Monolith | Villano |
| 1993 | Kölcsönkapott idö | Sean |
| 1992 | Performance (TV Series) | The Father |
| 1992 | Dark at Noon | Anthony | Le Marquis |
| 1991 | Red Fox (TV Mini Series) | Archie Carpenter |
| 1991 | I Dreamt I Woke Up (Short) | Boorman's Alter Ego |
| 1991 | Screenplay (TV Series) | Alfred |
| 1991 | Lapse of Memory | Conrad Farmer |
| 1991 | King Ralph | Lord Percival Graves |
| 1990 | Frankenstein Unbound | Buchanan |
| 1990 | The Field | 'Bird' O'Donnell |
| 1990 | Romeo.Juliet | La Dame aux Chats | Mercutio (voice) |
| 1990 | The Investigation: Inside a Terrorist Bombing (TV Movie) | Chris Mullin |
| 1989 | Windprints | Charles Rutherford |
| 1989 | Scandal | Stephen Ward |
| 1988 | David Macaulay: Pyramid (TV Movie) | Khufu | Second French Explorer (voice) |
| 1988 | La nuit Bengali | Lucien Metz |
| 1988 | Deadline (TV Movie) | Granville Jones |
| 1988 | A Dinner of Herbs (TV Movie) | Verse Reader |
| 1987–1988 | The Storyteller (TV Series) | The Storyteller |
| 1988 | Little Sweetheart | Robert Burger |
| 1987 | The Hunting of the Snark | The Narrator |
| 1987 | White Mischief | Colvile |
| 1987 | MacHeath (Short) | Sir John Fielding |
| 1987 | Vincent | Vincent Van Gogh (voice) |
| 1987 | Spaceballs | John Hurt |
| 1987 | Aria | The Actor (segment "I pagliacci") |
| 1987 | AIDS: Iceberg (Short) | Narrator |
| 1987 | From the Hip | Douglas Benoit |
| 1986 | Rocinante | Bill |
| 1986 | Jake Speed | Sid |
| 1985 | The Black Cauldron | The Horned King (voice) |
| 1985 | After Darkness | Peter Huninger |
| 1984 | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1984 | Winston Smith | Unknown |
| 1984 | Success Is the Best Revenge | Dino Montecurva |
| 1984 | The Hit | Braddock |
| 1984 | Champions | Bob Champion |
| 1983 | The Osterman Weekend | Lawrence Fassett |
| 1983 | King Lear (TV Movie) | The Fool |
| 1982 | The Plague Dogs | Snitter (voice) |
| 1982 | Paul McCartney: Take It Away (Music Video) | Manager (uncredited) |
| 1982 | Partners | Kerwin |
| 1982 | Night Crossing | Peter Strelzyk |
| 1981 | History of the World: Part I | Jesus - The Roman Empire |
| 1980 | Heaven's Gate | William C. Irvine |
| 1980 | The Elephant Man | John Merrick |
| 1979 | Crime and Punishment (TV Mini Series) | Raskolnikov |
| 1979 | *Alien* | Kane |
| 1978 | The Lord of the Rings | Aragorn (voice) |
| 1978 | Watership Down | Hazel (voice) |
| 1978 | The Shout | Anthony Fielding |
| 1978 | Midnight Express | Max |
| 1978 | The Island (TV Movie) | Captain Simmonds |
| 1978 | East of Elephant Rock | Nash |
| 1977 | Paperback | Unknown |
| 1977 | Three Dangerous Ladies | Lt. Simmonds (segment "The Island") |
| 1977 | The Sunday Drama (TV Series) | Dave |
| 1977 | The Disappearance | Atkinson |
| 1977 | Spectre (TV Movie) | Mitri Cyon |
| 1976 | Shadows of Doubt (Short) | Unknown |
| 1976 | I, Claudius (TV Mini Series) | Caligula |
| 1976 | The Sweeney (TV Series) | Tony Grey |
| 1976 | La linea del fiume | Chandler |
| 1976 | Play for Today (TV Series) | Alec Cassell |
| 1976 | Shades of Greene (TV Series) | Fred |
| 1975 | The Naked Civil Servant (TV Movie) | Quentin Crisp |
| 1975 | Ten from the Twenties (TV Series) | Philip |
| 1975 | The Ghoul | Tom Rawlings |
| 1975 | Omnibus (TV Series) | Nijinsky |
| 1974 | The Playboy of the Western World (TV Movie) | Christopher Mahon (Christy Mahon) |
| 1974 | Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs | Malcolm Scrawdyke |
| 1973 | Wessex Tales (TV Mini Series) | Joshua Harlborough |
| 1972 | The Pied Piper | Franz |
| 1971 | RHM Mother's Pride Supermarket Raid 87670 (Short) | Unknown |
| 1971 | Cry of the Penguins | Forbush |
| 1971 | ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV Series) | Bob |
| 1971 | 10 Rillington Place | Timothy Evans |
| 1969 | In Search of Gregory | Daniel |
| 1969 | Sinful Davey | Davey Haggart |
| 1968 | Before Winter Comes | Lieutenant Pilkington |
| 1967 | ITV Playhouse (TV Series) | Guy Beresford |
| 1967 | The Sailor from Gibraltar | John |
| 1966 | A Man for All Seasons | Richard Rich |
| 1963–1965 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | Dave | Terry | Heywood ... |
| 1964 | Thursday Theatre (TV Series) | Orpheus |
| 1964 | Gideon C.I.D. (TV Series) | Freddy Tisdale |
| 1964 | Love Story (TV Series) | Harry Eddows |
| 1964 | Armchair Theatre (TV Series) | Joe |
| 1964 | This Is My Street | Charlie |
| 1963–1964 | First Night (TV Series) | Desmond | Garry |
| 1963 | The Contact (Short) | Unknown |
| 1961–1963 | Drama 61-67 (TV Series) | Tom | Private Briggs |
| 1963 | Once Aboard the Lugger... (TV Series) | Jobey Todd |
| 1962 | Young and Willing | Phil Corbett |
| 1961–1962 | Probation Officer (TV Series) | Johnny Seton | Norman Bailey |
| 1962 | Z Cars (TV Series) | James Hogan |
General:
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