Actor John Hurt, known for ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Alien,’ dies
The BBC has reported that celebrated actor John Hurt, known for his roles in Alien and the part of wand-maker Mr. Ollivander in the Harry Potter films, has died at age 77.
No details have been provided surrounding his death, although Variety reports that he had announced in 2015 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
His wife told Variety, “John was the most sublime of actors and the most gentlemanly of gentlemen with the greatest of hearts and the most generosity of spirit. He touched all our lives with joy and magic and it will be a strange world without him.”
He played Mr. Ollivander, the wand-maker in Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone and for parts 1 and 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. His other more recent roles include supporting roles in V For Vendetta, That Good Night and Jackie. He also took a role in Doctor Who.
He received Academy Award nominations for his work in Midnight Express in 1979 and David Lynch's The Elephant Man in 1981. One of his most memorable roles is his role in Ridley Scott's Alien.
Hurt’s fellow actors and directors took to social media to talk more on his talent.
J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series:
So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 28, 2017
Elijah Wood, actor in The Lord Of The Rings:
Very sad to hear of John Hurt's passing. It was such an honor to have watched you work, sir.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) January 28, 2017
Mel Brooks, executive producer of The Elephant Man:
It was terribly sad today to learn of John Hurt's passing. He was a truly magnificent talent.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) January 28, 2017
No one could have played The Elephant Man more memorably. He carried that film into cinematic immortality. He will be sorely missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) January 28, 2017
Hurt is survived by his wife, Anwen, and two sons, Alexander and Nicholas.
