William Hurtwas an established star of the stage and silver screen who is best known for classic films such asBody Heat,A History of Violence, andBroadcast News. Born in Washington D.C., Hurt studied acting at Juilliard and initially started performing on the stage during the 1970s and earned his first major film role in the 1980 science-fiction horror movie,Altered States. In 1981, he starred alongside fellow newcomer,Kathleen Turner, in the erotic neo-noir film,Body Heat, which is considered to be Hurt’s breakthrough role, ultimately elevating his career to new heights.
Throughout Hurt’s impressive career, he earned numerous award nominations, including several Oscar nominations, and in 1985, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his captivating performance inKiss of the Spider Woman. Hurt is considered to be one of the top leading men of the 1980s and maintained a steady career on the stage as well as in film and television up until his death in 2022. While the world of entertainment lost a gifted performer too soon, Hurt achieved incredible accomplishments that are some of the finest performances to ever grace the big screen.
10’Dark City' (1998)
Directed by Alex Proyas
Dark Cityis a science-fiction neo-noir that takes audiences on a series of twists and turns as a man with memory loss, played byRufus Sewell, tries to not only remember who he is but also clear his name as a prime suspect in a murder case. Hurt takes on the role of a hard-nosed detective, Inspector Bumstead, who believes Sewell’s character is most likely innocent of any wrongdoing.He conveys the classic cynical detective of traditional classic noir films, giving a fitting homage to the timeless genre.
The film does an excellent job of portraying an overall nightmarish setting that oozes with German Expression and other traditional elements of the noir genre that setsDark Cityas a unique 90s film.Dark Cityearned generally rave reviews from audiences and critics, includingRoger Ebert, who calledDark Citya “great visionary achievement,” that reflected other groundbreaking sci-fi films such asFritz Lang’sMetropolisand2001: A Space Odyssey.
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9’Tuck Everlasting' (2002)
Directed by Jay Russell
Hurt stars as the patriarch of the Tuck family, Angus, who, along with his wife and children, remain young and immortal thanks to a secret spring hidden in their woods. When Angus' son, Jesse (Jonathan Jackson), falls in love with a local upper-class girl, Winnie Foster (Alexis Bledel), she soon learns about the family’s secret and is warned by Angus that it is both a blessing and a curse that must remain a secret from the outside world.
Tuck Everlastingis a romantic drama based on the 1975 novel written byNatalie Babbittand also starsBen Kingsley,Sissy Spacek, andVictor Garber.Hurt’s performance is as wholesome as it is endearing and while some critics noted that the film moved a bit slowly,Tuck Everlastingdoes explore vital issues with a gentle touch of sensitivity. Unlike most romantic dramas,Tuck Everlastingsticks out with its bittersweet ending as well as its unique twist on star-crossed lovers.
Tuck Everlasting
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8’The Big Chill' (1983)
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan
Hurt stars with an ensemble cast includingGlenn Close,Kevin Kline, andJeff Goldblum, in the 80s dramedy,The Big Chill. The film follows several college friends who all come together to attend the funeral of their friend, Alex (originally played byKevin Costnerwho was cut from the film), where they learn not only about Alex’s secrets but also their own, forcing them to each find a way to come to terms with them.
Hurt plays a Vietnam veteran and drug addict, Nick Carlton, giving one of the most emotionally in-depth and authentic performances out of the all-star cast.The Big Chillreceived overall positive reviews and was praised for its genuine, smart humor as well as the array of detail-oriented characters that each bring something intriguing to the table of messes and regrets. The movie earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Close, and Best Picture.
The Big Chill
A drama that follows the reunion of seven college friends who come together after the suicide of their friend Alex. Spending the weekend at a South Carolina estate, the group reflects on their shared past and the divergent paths their lives have taken. As they reconnect, old tensions resurface and new revelations come to light.
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7’Smoke' (1995)
Directed by Wayne Wang
Smokefollows the lives of several individuals who are all connected by a smoke shop located in Brooklyn and stars Hurt as a writer and grieving widower, Paul Benjamin. Benjamin’s world collides with a young homeless man, Rashid (Harold Perrineau),who saves him from almost being hit by a bus. To show his gratitude for Rashid’s heroic actions, he offers to let him stay with him until he gets back on his feet and soon learns that his new roommate is trying to reconnect with his father (Forest Whitaker).
Hurt gives one of his all-time best performances in the film,Smoke, which also starsHarvey Keitel,Ashley Judd, andGreasestar,Stockard Channing. With a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 88%,Smokeis a hook, line, and sinker of a film that manages to keep audiences' attention from start to finish and effortlessly intertwines an intriguing group of characters conveyed by a highly capable cast, making it one of Hurt’s top-tier films that doesn’t get enough recognition.
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6’A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
InSteven Spielberg’s science-fiction film,A.I. Artificial Intelligence,Haley Joel Osmentstars as David, a human android who is capable of feeling and expressing love, making him unique to other humanoids. David’s journey is a reflection of the classic tale,The Adventures of Pinocchio, and like the wooden boy who dreams of being human, David encounters several influential people along the way, including his creator, Professor Allen Hobby, played by Hurt.
Hurt’s character is crucial to the film’s plot, but unlike the kindhearted woodcarver, Geppetto, Hobby is unable to realize how his drive for success impacts David. Hurt’s performance is initially rich with natural warmth and a father-like approach, but all is quickly dashed, revealing a self-serving inventor who has no time to coddle his creations, presenting the question of who is the more human.The two-faced character is effortlessly conveyed by Hurt without coming off as intentionally cruel and heartless but manages to make his true nature clear through his actions and opinions.
A.I.: Artificial Intelligence
David, a robotic boy—the first of his kind programmed to love—is adopted as a test case by a Cybertronics employee and his wife. Though he gradually becomes their child, a series of unexpected circumstances make this life impossible for David.
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5’Children of a Lesser God' (1986)
Directed by Randa Haines
Hurt stars in the Oscar-winning film,Children of a Lesser God, as a speech teacher, James Leeds, who develops a romance with one of the school’s deaf employees, Sarah Norman, who is played byMarlee Matlinin her feature film debut. While their relationship begins to grow, the couple encounters obstacles created by their opposing views and opinions, but in the end, their differences are what ultimately shape their loving bond.
Children of a Lesser Godfeaturesone of Hurt’s greatest lead performances, but the magic of the film lies solely in Hurt and Matlin’s uncanny chemistry that is both alluring and heartfelt. The film earned immense praise and received several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Actor for Hurt.Matlin went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress, becoming the youngest Best Actress winner as well as the first deaf performer to win in Oscar history.
4’A History of Violence' (2005)
Directed by David Cronenberg
A History of Violenceis a torrid tale of a man with a violent past who attempts to escape his demons to start a new life, only to be cornered by his deadly sins.Viggo Mortensenstars as a former hitman turned family man, Tom Stall, who, after killing two men who attempted to rob his diner, ends up on the news and is recognized by a past associate (Ed Harris) who confronts him about his true identity. While Stall knows he can no longer run from his previous life, he stops at nothing to ensure no one from it comes around threatening him or his family.
Hurt takes on the role of Stall’s brother and crime boss, Richie Cusack, who is the epitome of a cold and calculated mafioso and values money over family. Despite being a minor role,Hurt delivers a captivating performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, making it his fourth nomination. Film critic,Roger Ebert, gave the movie three and a half out of four stars, commending the film’s straightforward style as well as the incredible performances by the entire cast.
A History of Violence
A mild-mannered man becomes a local hero through an act of violence, which sets off repercussions that will shake his family to its very core.
3’Kiss of the Spider Woman' (1985)
Directed by Héctor Babenco
Set in a Brazilian prison during the Brazilian military dictatorship, Hurt stars as Luis, a gay man who shares a cell with Valentin (Raul Julia) who is locked up for his involvement in the activities of a Leftist revolutionary group. While both men are entirely different, they eventually learn to value each other and form mutual respect, but their relationship is complicated by their own secret agendas that hold deadly consequences for both men.
Hurt and Julia are simply sublime together in the highly underrated drama film,Kiss of the Spider Woman, which is based on the 1976 novel by the same name written byManuel Puig.The film is full of jaw-dropping surprises and unexpected twists that serve as the main draw for audiences, but their attention is locked in on both stars' unbelievable performances, notably Hurt, who conveys quite the eccentric enigma of a character.Kiss of the Spider Womanreceived four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and ended up earning Hurt the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Kiss of the Spider Woman
A gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.
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2’Broadcast News' (1987)
Directed by James L. Brooks
Broadcast Newsis an Oscar-nominated film that follows a satirical take on the American newsroom and an unusual love triangle in the workplace.Holly Hunterstars as news producer, Jane Craig, who believes the station should cover more hard news. The only person Craig can relate to in the news field is her best friend and co-worker, Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks), who is secretly in love with her. When the station hires a new reporter, Tom Grunick (Hurt), who represents everything Craig hates about the mainstream media today, she initially isn’t a fan, but the more time they spend together, the more Craig finds herself falling for Grunick.
Hurt delivers a tour de force performance inBroadcast Newsandeven though his character is meant to represent the negative qualities of the media today, he still manages to redeem his character with a sense of empathy and likability that is impossible to deny. The film earned immense praise from audiences and critics, includingRoger Ebert, who gave the film four out of four stars, complimenting the film’s overall accuracy of its subject.Broadcast Newsalso went on to receive seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Hurt, Best Picture, and Best Actress for Hunter.
Broadcast News
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1’Body Heat' (1981)
Hurt stars in the thrilling neo-noir,Body Heat, as an attorney, Ned Racine, who finds himself in a steamy affair with the wife of a wealthy businessman, Matty Walker (Kathleen Turner). When the two lovers decide that they want to run away together, they hatch a devious plan to kill Walker’s husband, but when complications arise from executing their scheme, Racine finds himself in a dangerous situation that could cost him his life.
Body Heatis a classic 80s sex-pot neo-noirnoted for Hurt and Turner’s breakthrough performances as well as their sultry on-screen chemistry. Inspired byBilly Wilder’s classic noir,Double Indemnity,Body Heatfollows a much more detailed plot of double-crosses and sinister manipulation that will have audiences on edge from beginning to end.Hurt delivers a perfect balance of sex and gentle endearment that is similar to Fred MacMurray’s character in Wilder’s film, portraying himself as a good ole' boy next door to throw off any suspicion about his true, nefarious nature.
A seductive crime drama centered on Ned Racine, a lawyer whose life takes a dangerous turn when he meets Matty Walker, the alluring wife of a rich businessman. Drawn by desire, Ned and Matty plot to kill her husband and claim his wealth. As the plan unfolds, Ned finds himself caught in a maze of lies, manipulation, and unforeseen complications.
