John Hurt

John Hurt

British film actors
Date of Birth: 22.01.1940
Country: Great Britain

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Early Career
  3. Accolades for Supporting Roles
  4. Iconic Roles in Science Fiction and Historical Drama
  5. Versatility and Notable Performances
  6. Voice Acting and Charitable Work
  7. Personal Life and Marriages

Early Life and Education

John Vincent Hurt, born on January 22, 1940, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, was raised in a strict household. Despite a cinema being across the street, his parents forbade him from attending. At age eight, Hurt was sent to St. Michael's Catholic Grammar School in Sevenoaks, where he began participating in school productions.

John Hurt

At age 17, Hurt joined Grimsby Art School (now East Coast College) to study drama. In 1959, he received a scholarship to study for an Art Teacher's Diploma (ATD) at the Chelsea School of Art in London.

John Hurt

Early Career

Hurt's first film role was as Phil in the 1962 melodrama "This Sporting Life." However, his breakthrough came in 1966 when he played Richard Rich in the biographical drama "A Man for All Seasons."

John Hurt

Accolades for Supporting Roles

In 1972, Hurt won a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Timothy John Evans in the television thriller "10 Rillington Place." In 1978, he received a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role as Max in the crime thriller "Midnight Express."

John Hurt

Iconic Roles in Science Fiction and Historical Drama

Following his role as Richard Rich, Hurt became known for his portrayals of Kane, the first victim of the alien creature in the 1979 horror movie "Alien," and John Merrick in the 1980 historical drama "The Elephant Man." The latter performance earned Hurt a BAFTA Award and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor.

Versatility and Notable Performances

Hurt has played a diverse range of characters throughout his career, from Winston Smith in the dystopian drama "1984" (1984) to the fascist leader in the thriller "V for Vendetta" (2006). He also appeared as Mr. Ollivander, the wandmaker, in the first Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (2001), and reprised the role in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" (2010) and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" (2011).

Voice Acting and Charitable Work

In addition to his film roles, Hurt has done voice-over work for projects such as "Monkey Kingdom," "Dogville," "The Lion King," and "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer." He is actively involved in the Harar Project, a British charity that provides healthcare for children in Ethiopia.

Personal Life and Marriages

Hurt has been married four times: to actress Annette Robertson (1962-1964), actress and longtime friend Donna Peacock (1984-1990), producer's assistant Jo Dalton (1990-1996), and producer Rhisi Myers (2005-present). He has two sons from his marriage to Dalton.

© BIOGRAPHS