John Hurt, the acclaimed British actor, had a net worth of $30 million at the time of his death in 2017. Known for his exceptional talent, he was regarded as one of the finest actors in the UK, with a career that spanned over five decades. Hurt’s work in film, television, and theater earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.
Hurt’s career truly took off with his breakout role in the 1966 film A Man for All Seasons. Over the years, he became known for his versatility, playing characters in a range of genres, from the intense science fiction of Alien to historical dramas such as Midnight Express and Rob Roy. He also starred in the cult-classic V for Vendetta and appeared in several high-profile films such as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. However, his role as the wand shop owner Ollivander in the Harry Potter series remains one of his most iconic contributions to film. Additionally, Hurt’s appearance as The Doctor in Doctor Who in 2013 added to his legacy. Other notable projects include Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Contact, and Spaceballs, among many others. His most memorable roles include portrayals in The Elephant Man, Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Hit, Scandal, The Naked Civil Servant, and I, Claudius. Hurt died on January 27, 2017, at the age of 77.
Early Life and Education
John Hurt was born on January 22, 1940, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. He was the son of Phyllis, an engineer who briefly pursued acting, and Arnold Herbert Hurt, a mathematician who later became a clergyman. The family moved to Woodville, Derbyshire, when John was five, after his father became the vicar of St. Stephen’s Church. In his youth, Hurt was sent to St. Michael’s Preparatory School in Otford, Kent, where he discovered his passion for acting. He was cast as a girl in a school play, The Blue Bird, which sparked his desire to pursue a career in drama.
Despite his enthusiasm, his parents hoped he would focus more on art, leading him to attend Lincoln School and later Grimsby Art School at the age of 17. In 1959, Hurt won a scholarship to study Art Teacher’s Diploma at Saint Martin’s School of Art in London. His passion for acting, however, led him to seek training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1960. After two years of study, he graduated in 1962 with an Acting Diploma.
Career Beginnings
Hurt’s acting career began in 1962 with his first film role in The Wild and the Willing. The following year, he appeared in This is My Street and made his television debut in Gideon’s Way in 1964. His breakthrough came in 1966 when he was cast as Richard Rich in the historical drama A Man for All Seasons, a film that was critically acclaimed and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Following this success, he appeared in The Sailor from Gibraltar and Sinful Davey in 1969, continuing to build his career in British cinema.
By 1971, Hurt earned his first BAFTA nomination for his role in 10 Rillington Place, marking the beginning of his recognition in the industry. His performance in the 1975 television play The Naked Civil Servant, where he portrayed Quentin Crisp, earned him a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor. He followed this up with a prominent role as the Roman emperor Caligula in the BBC drama I, Claudius in 1976. Hurt’s success continued with a Golden Globe Award and BAFTA Award for his role in Midnight Express in 1978, and he also voiced Aragorn in the animated adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.
Rising Star and Iconic Roles
Hurt’s fame continued to grow with his portrayal of Joseph Merrick, the deformed man in The Elephant Man (1980). His performance in this biographical drama earned him another BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hurt took on diverse roles, further solidifying his place in cinematic history. In 1984, he starred in Nineteen Eighty-Four, and in 1985, he voiced a character in Disney’s The Black Cauldron. He received a BAFTA nomination in 1990 for his performance in The Field and continued to take on significant roles, including Rob Roy and Dead Man in 1995.
In 1997, Hurt starred in Love and Death on Long Island and appeared in Contact the same year. As the new millennium began, Hurt’s career remained strong. He played Mr. Ollivander in the Harry Potter series and returned for the subsequent films, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2. He appeared in V for Vendetta in 2006, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008, and voiced characters in Merlin and Planet Dinosaur.
Awards and Recognition
Hurt’s career was marked by numerous accolades. He won the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award at the 65th British Academy Film Awards and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2004 for his contributions to British cinema. In 2015, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama. This honor came in the same year as an investiture ceremony at Windsor, where he received his knighthood. These accolades were the result of his outstanding contributions to the acting, which continued until his death.
A series of relationships and marriages marked hurt’s personal life. 1962 he married actress Annette Robertson, but they divorced in 1964. He began a relationship with Marie-Lise Volpeliere-Pierrot in 1967. Their plans to marry were tragically interrupted in 1983 when Volpeliere-Pierrot was thrown from a horse and died later that day. Hurt married Donna Peacock in 1984, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1990. That same year, he married Joan Dalton, with whom he had two sons. Their marriage ended in 1996.
In the years following, Hurt had a relationship with writer Sarah Owens, which lasted for seven years until their separation in 2002. In 2005, Hurt married Anwen Rees-Meyers, a film producer. During their marriage, he made efforts to quit smoking and drinking, committing to a healthier lifestyle.
Health Struggles and Death
In June 2015, Hurt announced that he had been diagnosed with early-stage pancreatic cancer. Despite this, he continued to work while undergoing treatment. By October 2015, Hurt shared the news that his cancer was in remission. Unfortunately, two years later, Hurt passed away on January 25, 2017, just three days after his 77th birthday. His death marked the end of a remarkable career that had touched the lives of many through his powerful performances and iconic roles.
