--- name: "William Hurt" canonical: "https://film.one/person/william-hurt" fi1m_id: "william-hurt" imdb_id: "nm0000458" tmdb_id: 227 wikidata_id: "Q105825" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 March 1950" died: "13 March 2022" reviewed_on_fi1m: 21 average_fi1m_score: 74 average_as: "actor" average_over: 21 updated: "2026-10-09T19:29:46.687002+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # William Hurt ## Identity William Hurt - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/william-hurt - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** william-hurt - **IMDb ID:** nm0000458 - **TMDB ID:** 227 - **Wikidata ID:** Q105825 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hurt, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105825, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000458/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/227 Actor. Born 20 March 1950 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Died 13 March 2022. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 March 1950, Washington, District of Columbia, USA - **Died:** 13 March 2022 - **Active:** 1981–2021 - **Also known as:** William McChord Hurt, William M. Hurt, Bill Hurt - **Frequently works with:** [Lawrence Kasdan](https://film.one/person/lawrence-kasdan.md), [Glenn Close](https://film.one/person/glenn-close.md), [Kathleen Turner](https://film.one/person/kathleen-turner.md), [Kevin Feige](https://film.one/person/kevin-feige.md), [Matt Damon](https://film.one/person/matt-damon.md), [Ted Danson](https://film.one/person/ted-danson.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 3 nominated) - **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 21 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 77 (6), 1990s 76 (1), 2000s 73 (8), 2010s 72 (5), 2020s 63 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 69 across 20 titles - **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 14 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 6 of 17 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 13, Adventure 8, Science Fiction 7, Action 6, Thriller 5, Mystery 4 - **Screen time:** 41 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $8,034m across 19 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hurt, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105825, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000458/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/227 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Damages*](https://film.one/tv/damages.md) (78), [*Black Widow*](https://film.one/film/black-widow.md) (63), [*The Incredible Hulk*](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md) (58) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Accidental Tourist*](https://film.one/film/the-accidental-tourist.md) (78), [*Dark City*](https://film.one/film/dark-city.md) (76), [*Syriana*](https://film.one/film/syriana.md) (72) - **Apple TV:** [*A History of Violence*](https://film.one/film/a-history-of-violence.md) (88) - **Hulu:** [*A.I. Artificial Intelligence*](https://film.one/film/a-i-artificial-intelligence.md) (84) - **HBO Max:** [*Kiss of the Spider Woman*](https://film.one/film/kiss-of-the-spider-woman.md) (84) - **Tubi:** [*The Big Chill*](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md) (67) - **Pluto TV:** [*Children of a Lesser God*](https://film.one/film/children-of-a-lesser-god.md) (66) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Village*](https://film.one/film/the-village.md) (63) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on William Hurt > William Hurt could look entirely in charge and still suggest a man with doubts. We value that vulnerability, and the steadiness he brought to genre films, though some later supporting roles asked too little of him. In *Dark City* (1998), William Hurt's Inspector Frank Bumstead makes us want to pause the mystery and spend some time with him. Alex Proyas's invented city is more particular than several of its inhabitants. Hurt offers a steadier presence than Rufus Sewell's John Murdoch, who has the harder job of keeping us interested as the story moves along. We felt frustrated by the script's demands on Bumstead, because Hurt made us want to know him beyond his use in the plot. It is a good performance in a part that could have given him more. The leading roles had allowed more room for his mixture of intelligence and vulnerability. His film debut in *Altered States* (1980) was followed by a breakthrough opposite Kathleen Turner in *Body Heat* (1981). *Kiss of the Spider Woman* (1985) and *Broadcast News* (1987) are central to his reputation for giving flawed people emotional depth. In the latter, his Tom Grunick is a shallow but charismatic news anchor. Hurt's appeal was not dependent on the man he played deserving our admiration. From the 1990s, supporting and character roles became more prominent, and that change could put his steadiness to good use. *Dark City* needs it: alongside Jennifer Connelly's Emma Murdoch, he keeps us interested in people the writing does not explore with enough care. His brief appearance in *A History of Violence* (2005) is another example of his effectiveness in a smaller part. The difficulty with some later blockbuster roles was that they asked for authority without much of the uncertainty that made him interesting. We would not pretend that a dependable actor can repair an underwritten role simply by being there. Proyas gets enough from Hurt to make Bumstead worth following, but not enough time with him to satisfy the curiosity he creates. See *Dark City* for its invented city and its unease, with that reservation about its people. Then try *Broadcast News* for a leading part in which charm and weakness both have work to do. ## Biography William Hurt was an American actor. Born in Washington, District of Columbia, on 20 March 1950, he died on 13 March 2022. He trained at the Juilliard School and began his career on stage in the 1970s before making his film debut in Altered States (1980). Hurt received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985). He earned further Oscar nominations for Children of a Lesser God (1986), Broadcast News (1987) and A History of Violence (2005). He appeared in numerous films including Into the Wild (2007), Robin Hood (2010) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe series as Thaddeus Ross. Among his later credits was the role of Inspector Frank Bumstead in Dark City (1998). *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, bfi.org.uk.* ## On Fi1m (21) - *Black Widow* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Secretary Ross — [page](https://film.one/film/black-widow.md) - *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md) - *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), Fi1m 77, as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md) - *Captain America: Civil War* (2016), Fi1m 74, as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross — [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-civil-war.md) - *Humans* (2015), Fi1m 74, as Dr. George Millican — [page](https://film.one/tv/humans.md) - *Robin Hood* (2010), Fi1m 55, as William Marshal — [page](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-2010.md) - *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), Fi1m 58, as General 'Thunderbolt' Ross — [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md) - *Damages* (2007), Fi1m 78, as Daniel Purcell — [page](https://film.one/tv/damages.md) - *Into the Wild* (2007), Fi1m 78, as Walt McCandless — [page](https://film.one/film/into-the-wild.md) - *The Good Shepherd* (2006), Fi1m 64, as Philip Allen — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md) - *A History of Violence* (2005), Fi1m 88, as Richie Cusack — [page](https://film.one/film/a-history-of-violence.md) - *Syriana* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Stan — [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md) - *The Village* (2004), Fi1m 63, as Edward Walker — [page](https://film.one/film/the-village.md) - *A.I. Artificial Intelligence* (2001), Fi1m 84, as Professor Hobby — [page](https://film.one/film/a-i-artificial-intelligence.md) - *Dark City* (1998), Fi1m 76, as Inspector Frank Bumstead — [page](https://film.one/film/dark-city.md) - *The Accidental Tourist* (1988), Fi1m 78, as Macon Leary — [page](https://film.one/film/the-accidental-tourist.md) - *Broadcast News* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Tom Grunick — [page](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news.md) - *Children of a Lesser God* (1986), Fi1m 66, as James Leeds — [page](https://film.one/film/children-of-a-lesser-god.md) - *Kiss of the Spider Woman* (1985), Fi1m 84, as Luis Molina — [page](https://film.one/film/kiss-of-the-spider-woman.md) - *The Big Chill* (1983), Fi1m 67, as Nick Carlton — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md) - *Body Heat* (1981), Fi1m 83, as Ned Racine — [page](https://film.one/film/body-heat.md) ## Complete filmography (108) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Pantheon* (2022), series, as Stephen Holstrom (voice) - *The King's Daughter* (2022), as Pere La Chaise - *Black Widow* (2021), as Secretary Ross — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/black-widow.md) - *Disclosure* (2020), as Luis Molina (archive footage) - *Mythic Quest* (2020), series, as Peter Cromwell - *The Last Full Measure* (2020), as Tulley - *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md) - *Condor* (2018), series, as Bob Partridge - *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md) - *The Miracle Season* (2018), as Ernie Found - *Goliath* (2016), series, as Donald Cooperman - *Captain America: Civil War* (2016), as Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-civil-war.md) - *Race* (2016), as Jeremiah Mahoney - *Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands* (2016), series, as Hrothgar - *Humans* (2015), series, as Dr. George Millican — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/humans.md) - *Men of Granite* (2015), Actor - *The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her* (2014), as Julian Rigby - *Days and Nights* (2014), as Herb - *The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them* (2014), as Julian Rigby - *Winter's Tale* (2014), as Isaac Penn - *Bonnie & Clyde* (2013), series, as Frank Hamer - *The Host* (2013), as Jeb Stryder - *The Challenger Disaster* (2013), as Richard Feynman - *Maddened by His Absence* (2012), as Jacques - *Too Big to Fail* (2011), as Henry Paulson - *Hellgate* (2011), as Warren Mills - *Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant* (2011), as Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross (archive footage) - *Late Bloomers* (2011), as Adam - *Moby Dick* (2011), series, as Captain Ahab - *Robin Hood* (2010), as William Marshal — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/robin-hood-2010.md) - *The Real Robin Hood* (2010), as Narrator (voice) - *The River Why* (2010), as H2O - *The Yellow Handkerchief* (2009), as Brett Hanson - *The Countess* (2009), as György Thurzó - *Endgame* (2009), as Professor Will Esterhuyse - *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), as General 'Thunderbolt' Ross — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md) - *Vantage Point* (2008), as President Ashton - *Noise* (2007), as Mayor Schneer - *Into the Wild* (2007), as Walt McCandless — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/into-the-wild.md) - *Damages* (2007), series, as Daniel Purcell — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/damages.md) - *Mr. Brooks* (2007), as Marshall - *The Legend of Sasquatch* (2007), as John Davis - *The Good Shepherd* (2006), as Philip Allen — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md) - *Beautiful Ohio* (2006), as Simon Messerman - *Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King* (2006), series, as Jason Renshaw - *The King* (2006), as Pastor David Sandow - *Syriana* (2005), as Stan — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md) - *A History of Violence* (2005), as Richie Cusack — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/a-history-of-violence.md) - *Neverwas* (2005), as Dr. Peter Reed - *Hunt for Justice* (2005), as General Mortimer - *Frankenstein* (2004), series, as Professor Waldman - *The Village* (2004), as Edward Walker — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-village.md) - *The Blue Butterfly* (2004), as Alan Osborne - *Nearest to Heaven* (2002), as Matt - *Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story* (2002), as Robert P. Hanssen - *Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story* (2002), series, as Robert P. Hanssen - *Tuck Everlasting* (2002), as Angus Tuck - *Changing Lanes* (2002), as Doyle's Sponsor - *The Simian Line* (2001), as Edward - *Rare Birds* (2001), as Dave - *A.I. Artificial Intelligence* (2001), as Professor Hobby — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/a-i-artificial-intelligence.md) - *Varian's War* (2001), as Varian Fry - *The Flamingo Rising* (2001), as Turner Knight - *Contaminated Man* (2000), as David R. Whitman - *Frank Herbert's Dune* (2000), series, as Duke Leto Atreides - *The Miracle Maker* (2000), as Jairus (voice) - *Do Not Disturb* (1999), as Walter Richmond - *Sunshine* (1999), as Andor Knorr - *The 4th Floor* (1999), as Greg Harrison - *The Big Brass Ring* (1999), as William Blake Pellarin - *The King of Queens* (1998), series, as Dr. Taber - *One True Thing* (1998), as George Gulden - *Lost in Space* (1998), as Prof. John Robinson - *The Proposition* (1998), as Arthur Barret - *Dark City* (1998), as Inspector Frank Bumstead — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/dark-city.md) - *Loved* (1997), as K.D. Dietrickson - *Elie Wiesel Goes Home* (1997), as Narrator (voice) - *Michael* (1996), as Frank Quinlan - *Secrets Shared with a Stranger* (1996), as The stranger - *A Couch in New York* (1996), as Henry Harriston - *Jane Eyre* (1996), as Rochester - *Smoke* (1995), as Paul Benjamin - *Second Best* (1994), as Graham Holt - *Trial by Jury* (1994), as Tommy Vesey - *Mr. Wonderful* (1993), as Tom - *The Plague* (1992), as Doctor Bernard Rieux - *Rabbit Ears - The Boy Who Drew Cats* (1991), as Narrator (voice) - *Until the End of the World* (1991), as Sam Farber, alias Trevor McPhee - *The Doctor* (1991), as Jack - *Alice* (1990), as Doug Tate - *Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School* (1990), as Steve Mills (voice) - *I Love You to Death* (1990), as Harlan James - *The Accidental Tourist* (1988), as Macon Leary — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-accidental-tourist.md) - *A Time of Destiny* (1988), as Martin Larraneta - *Broadcast News* (1987), as Tom Grunick — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news.md) - *Children of a Lesser God* (1986), as James Leeds — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/children-of-a-lesser-god.md) - *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1985), as Oberon - *Kiss of the Spider Woman* (1985), as Luis Molina — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/kiss-of-the-spider-woman.md) - *Gorky Park* (1983), as Arkady Renko - *The Big Chill* (1983), as Nick Carlton — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md) - *All the Way Home* (1981), as Jay Follet - *Body Heat* (1981), as Ned Racine — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/body-heat.md) - *Eyewitness* (1981), as Daryll Deever - *Altered States* (1980), as Professor Eddie Jessup - *Verna: USO Girl* (1978), as Walter - *Kojak* (1973), series, as Jake — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md) - *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Walter - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Turner Knight ## Gallery - ![William Hurt as Ned Racine in Body Heat (1981)](https://film.one/media/title/4818/still-f2b1cc756651.jpg) William Hurt as Ned Racine in *Body Heat* (1981) — Image via TMDB - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-ac8382a6b180.jpg) William Hurt — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/History_of_Violence_002_%287271227040%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Scanned from the March 15, 1981 issue of The Cincinnati Enquirer](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-9911807112e9.jpg) Scanned from the March 15, 1981 issue of The Cincinnati Enquirer — The Cincinnati Enquirer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/William_Hurt_in_1981_%28The_Cincinnati_Enquirer%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-f017f2c7b06a.jpg) William Hurt — Image via TMDB - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-681b4d6388ef.jpg) William Hurt — Image via TMDB - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-dbc9f7c148d8.jpg) William Hurt — Image via TMDB - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-851cd729e371.jpg) William Hurt — Image via TMDB - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-a08f1e18faaa.jpg) William Hurt — Image via TMDB - ![William Hurt](https://film.one/media/person/88176/gallery-b39c597cf67d.jpg) William Hurt — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 1 won, 3 nominated - 2006: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *A History of Violence* - 1988: Best Actor (nominated), for *Broadcast News* - 1987: Best Actor (nominated), for *Children of a Lesser God* - 1986: Best Actor (won), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* ### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won - 1986: Best Actor in a Leading Role (won) ### Golden Globes — 0 won, 4 nominated - 1987: Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Broadcast News* - 1986: Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *Children of a Lesser God* - 1985: Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (nominated), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* - 1980: New Star of the Year – Actor (nominated), for *Altered States* ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated - 2011: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Too Big to Fail* - 2009: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (nominated), for *Damages* ### SAG Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 2008: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *Into the Wild* ### Cannes Film Festival — 1 won - 1985: Best Actor (won), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* ### Other awards — 6 won, 4 nominated - Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film 2013: Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (nominated), for *Bonnie & Clyde* - Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor 2005: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor (won), for *A History of Violence* - Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor 2000: Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Sunshine* - David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor 1986: David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor (won), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* - London Film Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year 1986: London Film Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year (won), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* - Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor 1985: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor (won), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* - National Board of Review Award for Best Actor 1985: National Board of Review Award for Best Actor (won), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* - National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor 1985: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor (nominated), for *Kiss of the Spider Woman* - Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 1985: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (nominated) - Theatre World Award 1978: Theatre World Award (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/william-hurt