# John Hurt

> British actor (1940–2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q200405](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q200405)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hurt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-hurt

## Summary
John Hurt was a distinguished British actor (1940–2017) renowned for his versatility across film, television, stage, and voice acting. He was a celebrated character actor known for portraying unusual and eccentric roles, earning numerous accolades including a knighthood and multiple BAFTA awards. His career spanned five decades, leaving a lasting legacy in the performing arts through his work in Shakespearean comedy and major motion pictures.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 22, 1940
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom (Citizen of Q145)
- **Education**: Saint Martin's School of Art (founded 1854), Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (founded 1904), Central Saint Martins (founded 1989)
- **Known for**: Versatile performances as a film, television, stage, and voice actor; portrayal of eccentric characters; work in Shakespearean comedy
- **Employer(s)**: Affiliated with Saint Martin's School of Art, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and Central Saint Martins
- **Field(s)**: Acting (Film, Television, Theatre, Voice-over), Shakespearean comedy

## Contributions
John Hurt's primary contributions lie in his extensive body of work as a performer across multiple media formats.
- **Film and Television Acting**: He appeared in 25 films and 14 television productions, establishing himself as a prolific screen actor.
- **Voice Acting**: He provided voice-overs for characters in films, animation, and video games, contributing to 33 distinct media projects in this capacity.
- **Stage Performance**: He performed live before in-person audiences in 17 stage productions, demonstrating his theatrical range.
- **Character Portrayal**: He specialized in playing unusual or eccentric characters, a defining trait of his career as a character actor.
- **Theatrical Genre Work**: He contributed to the genre of Shakespearean comedy, performing in 12 related theatrical productions.
- **Awards and Recognition**: His work was recognized with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), the title of Knight Bachelor, the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

## FAQs
**What was John Hurt's professional background and training?**
John Hurt was a British actor who trained at prestigious institutions including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Saint Martin's School of Art, and Central Saint Martins. His education provided the foundation for a career that spanned film, television, stage, and voice acting.

**Which awards did John Hurt receive during his lifetime?**
He was honored with a knighthood (Knight Bachelor) and the rank of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Additionally, he won major acting awards such as the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, two BAFTA awards (one for Leading Role and one for Supporting Role), and a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.

**What types of roles was John Hurt best known for playing?**
Hurt was primarily known as a character actor who predominantly played unusual or eccentric characters. His versatility allowed him to excel in Shakespearean comedy, as well as in film, television, and voice-over work.

**When did John Hurt's career begin and end?**
His professional work period started in 1967 and concluded in 2017, the same year he passed away on January 25. This five-decade career encompassed a wide variety of roles across different media.

## Why They Matter
John Hurt's significance in the performing arts stems from his unparalleled versatility and his ability to embody complex, eccentric characters that defined the genre of the character actor. His work elevated the standards of acting in both British and international cinema, influencing generations of performers who followed. Without his contributions, the landscape of film and television would lack the depth and nuance he brought to over 25 films and 14 television productions. His dedication to the craft, evidenced by his training at top drama schools and his receipt of the highest honors in the British arts community, cemented his status as a cultural icon. His voice work and stage performances further demonstrated a commitment to the art form that extended beyond the screen, impacting the broader theatrical and animation industries.

## Notable For
- **Knighthood**: Granted the title of Knight Bachelor by the British monarch.
- **CBE**: Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
- **Golden Globe Winner**: Received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.
- **BAFTA Laureate**: Won both the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
- **Television Excellence**: Awarded the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.
- **Character Actor Archetype**: Renowned for predominantly playing unusual or eccentric characters.
- **Multi-Media Versatility**: Successfully worked as a film actor, television actor, stage actor, and voice actor.
- **Shakespearean Specialist**: Contributed significantly to the genre of Shakespearean comedy.
- **Long Career**: Maintained an active work period from 1967 to 2017.
- **Educational Affiliation**: Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Saint Martin's School of Art, and Central Saint Martins.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
John Vincent Hurt was born on January 22, 1940, in the United Kingdom. He pursued his artistic education at three notable institutions in London. He attended Saint Martin's School of Art, an art college established in 1854. He furthered his dramatic training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, a drama school founded in 1904. Additionally, he was affiliated with Central Saint Martins, a public tertiary art school established in 1989. These educational foundations prepared him for a diverse career in the performing arts.

### Career Overview and Work Period
Hurt's professional career as an actor spanned fifty years, beginning in 1967 and ending with his death in 2017. He was a human being and a citizen of the United Kingdom. His work was characterized by his ability to perform in various formats, including film, television, theatre, and radio. He was recognized as a character actor, a role defined by playing unusual or eccentric characters. His career included significant contributions to Shakespearean comedy.

### Film and Television Work
As a film actor, Hurt appeared in 25 distinct films. His work in this medium was highly acclaimed, earning him the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. He also received the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his cinematic performances. In television, he performed as a television actor in 14 productions. His excellence in this field was recognized with the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor.

### Stage and Voice Performance
Hurt's talents extended to live performance and voice work. He performed as a stage actor in 17 productions, appearing live before in-person audiences. His voice acting career was equally prolific, with 33 credits providing voice-overs for characters in films, animation, video games, and other media. This versatility allowed him to reach audiences across different platforms and genres.

### Awards and Honors
Throughout his life, John Hurt received numerous prestigious awards and titles. He was knighted, receiving the title of Knight Bachelor, which is granted to a man knighted by the British monarch but not as a member of an organized order of chivalry. He was also appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). His acting prowess was further validated by winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture. In the UK, he secured the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

### Personal Details and Identifiers
John Hurt's full name was John Vincent Hurt. He passed away on January 25, 2017. He held various unique identifiers across different databases, including IMDb ID nm0000457, ISNI 0000000121174550, and VIAF 196522. His Wikidata ID is Q175768609. He was associated with the website http://johnhurt.co.uk. His aliases included Sir John Vincent Hurt, Sir John Hurt, and Sir John Vincent Hurt CBE.

### Legacy and Impact
John Hurt left a profound mark on the entertainment industry through his extensive body of work. His ability to inhabit eccentric and unusual characters set a standard for character actors. His contributions to Shakespearean comedy and his success across film, television, and stage demonstrated a rare breadth of talent. The awards he received, including a knighthood and multiple BAFTAs, reflect the high regard in which he was held by his peers and the industry. His career serves as a testament to the power of versatile acting and the enduring impact of a dedicated artist.

## References

1. [Sir John Hurt: Bafta-winning actor dies aged 77. BBC News Online. 2017](http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38778145)
2. [Sir John Hurt obituary. TheGuardian.com. 2017](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/28/john-hurt-obituary)
3. [John Hurt, British Actor Hailed for His Shape-Shifting Roles, Dies at 77. The New York Times. 2017](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/movies/john-hurt-dead.html)
4. [Source](http://www.reelz.com/person/82386/john-hurt/)
5. Source
6. [BBC Radio Norfolk. 2017](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04yd2pp#:~:text=Sir%20John%20Hurt%20spent%20the,radio%20station%2C%20on%20several%20occasions.)
7. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb13895419j)
8. Integrated Authority File
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10. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073438/reviews)
11. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/reviews/24/2493.html)
12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/list/ls005157207/)
13. [Student & Graduate Profiles: John Hurt. Royal Academy of Dramatic Art](https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles?aos=acting&yr=1962&fn=john&sn=hurt)
14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1558032/)
15. Czech National Authority Database
16. [www.acmi.net.au](https://www.acmi.net.au/creators/81693)
17. IMDb
18. [New Year Honours: John Hurt receives a knighthood. BBC News. 2014](http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-30625196)
19. [Source](https://goldenglobes.com/person/john-hurt/)
20. [Source](https://www.bafta.org/awards/film/supporting-actor)
21. International Standard Name Identifier
22. BnF authorities
23. National Library of Australia
24. MusicBrainz
25. [John Hurt: Always in Character. 1990](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/02/magazine/john-hurt-always-in-character.html)
26. [L’acteur John Hurt est mort. Le Monde. 2017](https://www.lemonde.fr/disparitions/article/2017/01/28/l-acteur-john-hurt-est-mort_5070442_3382.html)
27. [Source](http://www.tvrage.com/person/id-32277/John+Hurt)
28. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000457/)
29. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
30. SNAC
31. Find a Grave
32. filmportal.de
33. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
34. Proleksis Encyclopedia
35. Munzinger Personen
36. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
37. [Virtual International Authority File](http://viaf.org/viaf/196522)
38. Virtual International Authority File
39. [Virtual International Authority File](https://viaf.org/viaf/196522/)
40. [Source](https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/awards-history/2005/loadwinners/feature-film)
41. [IdRef](https://www.idref.fr/059360739)
42. CONOR.SI
43. Autoritats UB
44. BBC Things
45. The Movie Database
46. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data