NORFOLK (CelebrityAccess) — John Hurt, a British character actor know for his chameleon-like ability to disappear completely inside of a role, died at his home in Norfolk on January 25th. He was 77.
According to the New York Times, his wife, Anwen Hurt, confirmed his death. In June 2015, Hurt revealed that he was battling pancreatic cancer.
Hurt played dozens of memorable characters in films, ranging from the hideously deformed Elephant Man in the 1980 film of the same name, to the murderous Raskolnikov in the BBC's 1979 rendition of Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment."
Hurt was also no stranger to science fiction and fantasy, earning cult status for his role as Kane, the first victim of the titular Alien in the 1979 horror film of the same name, and for several roles in the Harry Potter franchise.
In 2004, Hurt was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
He is survived by Anwen and his sons. – Staff Writers
