Sir John Hurt
SIR John Hurt’s widow has paid a moving tribute to her beloved husband calling him “the most gentlemanly of gentleman”.
Hurt, one of the best-loved and versatile actors of his generation, died at his Norfolk home after losing a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, aged 77 .
The unique, complex and incredibly talented star’s six decade career saw him bring iconic and daring roles to life.
His was tender and heartbreaking in The Elephant Man and outrageous in The Naked Civil Servant as Quentin Crisp.
He had one of the most gory screen deaths in sci-fi classic Alien and won a legion of fans as wand maker Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter films.
Extraordinary
Anwen Rees-Myers, 51, Hurt’s fourth wife, said: “John was the most sublime of actors and the most gentlemanly of gentlemen with the greatest of hearts and the most generosity of spirit.”
She said: “He touched all our lives with joy and magic and it will be a strange world without him.”
The great and good were yesterday mourning his loss.
Harry Potter creator JK Rowling said: “So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Actress Sharon Stone said: “God speed to John Hurt, a legendary actor and good human being”.
While actor Elijah Wood said: “Very sad to hear of John Hurt’s passing. It was such an honour to have watched you work, sir.”
Long-time friend and co-star in new film Jackie, Richard E Grant said: “So, so sad to have lost such an extraordinary talent and friend.”
Dad-of-two Hurt, knighted for services to drama in 2015, lived life to the full both on and off screen and was determined to approach his death with the same gusto.
He told Radio Times two years ago: “I hope I shall have the courage to say: ‘ Vroom! Here we go! Let’s become different molecules!’
“I can’t say I worry about mortality but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it.
“We’re all just passing time and occupy our chair very briefly.”
On another occasion he said: “We are all racing towards death. No matter how many great, intellectual conclusions we draw during our lives, we know they’re all only man-made, like God.
“I begin to wonder where it all leads. What can you do, except do what you can do as best you know how.”
Hurt won four Baftas and he will be remembered at the awards on February 12. Today he will be honoured at the BBC Audio Awards in Broadcasting House, he was given an outstanding contribution award last year.
Hurt, born in 1944 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to an engineer and a clergyman, he developed a passion for drama after playing a girl in a production at his prep school. But the headmaster of his