Film world pays tribute to ‘perfect actor’ Sir John Hurt

Took the lead role in the critically acclaimed biopic of Joseph Merrick, and was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor. cancer in June 2015 and many fans first became aware of his ill health when he made a gaunt appearance at that year’s Wimbledon championships.

In October 2015 Hurt said his cancer was in remission and it was only the sudden deterioration in his condition that forced him to pull out of the stage revival of John Osborne’s

directed by Kenneth Branagh, in July last year.

is due for release in December and will follow the release of several films featuring Hurt, including a thriller, the upcoming biopic of boxer Lenny McLean,

and currently winning critical acclaim the Oscar-nominated about JFK’s widow Jacqueline Kennedy.

Anwen Hurt, his wife of 12 years, led the host of tributes that followed the announcement of his death yesterday morning.

“It is with deep sadness that I have to confirm that my husband, John Vincent Hurt, died on Wednesday 25th January 2017 at home in Norfolk,” she 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. He touched all our lives with joy and magic and it will be a strange world without him.”

Her words were echoed by some of cinema’s greatest practitioners. Mel Brooks, who produced

said: “It was terribly sad today to learn of John Hurt’s passing. He was a truly magnificent talent. No one could have played

more memorably. He carried that film into cinematic immortality. He will be sorely missed.” Sharon Stone said: “God speed to John Hurt, a legendary actor and good human being.” Jamie Lee Curtis, wrote on Twitter: “John Hurt. Nothing better. Ever.”

Octavia Spencer, the Oscar-winning American actress, said: “John Hurt was the craft at its finest. It was an honour and a great joy to work with him on

“I was in awe of him because he always looked regal even though we played unwashed rebels in a post-apocalyptic film. I can’t explain it. Maybe it was the way he held his cigarette, or that English accent. Or, perhaps the kindness he showed us all allowed his nobility to radiate even beneath the … grimy makeup and tattered clothes.”

Clare Higgins, who co-starred with Hurt on perfect actor”.

Speaking on she said he was acknowledged by all actors as one of the “greatest”. “He was simply the most brilliant complete actor. He gave himself to his role. John had a real tenderness and gentleness which is quite rare in a male actor.” She spent three days with Hurt at a

convention in Los Angeles last year in one of his last public appearances. “What was so touching and lovely about John was that this wasn’t an actor talking to fans, this was a person talking to a person. It was very moving and lovely to watch.”

The filmmaker Kevin Smith, who directed and tweeted: “Rest in Peace to the actor genius said he was “the John Hurt. Most folks know him from

but I loved him as Sir Richard Rich from

JK Rowling praised the actor, who played the wand-maker Mr Ollivander in the film versions of her Harry Potter books, saying: “So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Though Hurt never won an Oscar, he was twice nominated, as best actor for and best supporting actor for

He received four Bafta Awards, including a lifetime achievement recognition for his outstanding contribution to British cinema in 2012.

Childline founder and president Dame Esther Rantzen hailed Hurt, who