William Hurt

William McChord Hurt (March 20, 1950 – March 13, 2022) was a widely acclaimed American actor. He was famous for his performances on stage and in films, earning him several awards including an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor. He got his start on stage in the 1970s, and moved to film with his debut in the science-fiction classic, Altered States in 1980. He was also recognized for his role in the noir film Body Heat in 1981. Hurt's undeniably strong acting portfolio included back-to-back nominations for Best Actor for his roles in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), Children of a Lesser God (1986), and Broadcast News (1987). His filmography spans multiple genres, featuring in films such as The Big Chill, Michael, and A.I. Artificial Intelligence. From 2008 to 2021, he played the character Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Hurt's career also extended to television where he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his role in the FX legal drama Damages. He portrayed Henry Paulson in the HBO movie Too Big to Fail, earning him another Primetime Emmy nomination. In theater, he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role in David Rabe's dark comedy Hurlyburly. His career, spanning nearly five decades, notably includes his stage debut performance in Corinne Jacker's My Life which won him an Obie Award. He was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Tufts University and Juilliard School.