Rest in Peace, Academy Award-Winning Actor William Hurt: 1950-2022

On Sunday, word broke that acclaimed actor William Hurt has passed away at the age of 71, with Variety adding that Hurt died of natural causes.

Among the many accolades given to Hurt over the course of his career were three Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards — for 1985’s Kiss of the Spider Woman, 1986’s Children of a Lesser God and 1987’s Broadcast News — winning the award for his role in Kiss of the Spider Woman.

William Hurt, the acclaimed actor best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and his work in “Broadcast News,” “A History of Violence” and “Children of a Lesser God,” has died at 71 years old. https://t.co/g2BhtVlNbI pic.twitter.com/RxvAwwgxII

— Variety (@Variety) March 13, 2022

Variety sent along a statement from Hurt’s son, Will, confirming his death:

“It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday. He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes.”

A versatile actor with a commanding on-screen presence, William Hurt was also known for theater roles throughout the ’80s in off-Broadway productions including Hurlyburly, which earned him a Tony nomination in 1985.

“You have to create a track record of breaking your own mold, or at least other people’s idea of that mold.” — #WilliamHurt. Rest In Peace, William Hurt ♥️ More: https://t.co/XQwGtMpd65 pic.twitter.com/ZQfXGJVJuC

— Bryce Dallas Howard (@BryceDHoward) March 14, 2022

Hurt turned up throughout the years in a number of other notable film roles, including (but not limited to) A History of Violence, The Village, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence, as well as a handful of appearances in films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Thaddeus Ross, a U.S. general.

May William Hurt rest in peace.