world actor sir john dies
Sir John Hurt:aged 77 winning actor dies
US director Mel Brooks described Sir John as "cinematic immortality", as tributes poured in for the star.
The Bafta-winning star, known for his roles in Alien and The Elephant Man, continued working despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.
US director Mel Brooks described Sir John as "cinematic immortality", as tributes poured in for the star.
He recently starred as Father Richard McSorley in Jackie, the biopic of President John F. Kennedy's wife.
He was born on 22 January, 1940 in Chesterfield in Derbyshire. Over six decades, he appeared in more than 120 films as well as numerous stage and television roles.
He went to St Martin's School of Art in London before gaining a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1960.
He was given the all-clear in October 2015 but last year pulled out of play The Entertainer due to ill-health.
He was born on 22 January, 1940 in Chesterfield in Derbyshire. Over six decades, he appeared in more than 120 films as well as numerous stage and television roles.
He went to St Martin's School of Art in London before gaining a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1960.
The death of his character in the film Alien has often been voted as one of cinema's most memorable moments.
The film critic and historian Geoff Andrew once asked Hurt how he managed to regularly turn in such memorable performances.
"The only way I can describe it is that I put everything I can into the mulberry of my mind and hope that it is going to ferment and make a decent wine," he said.
"How that process happens, I'm sorry to tell you I can't describe."
"We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly."
He has performed as the deformed Joseph Merrick in The Elephant Man as well as wand-maker Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter films.
After his diagnosis the same year, he told the Radio Times: "I can't say I worry about mortality, but it's impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it.
In 2013 he appeared in Doctor Who as the War Doctor, a hitherto unseen incarnation of the character.
He has been married to Anwen Rees Meyers, a former actress and classical pianist, for 12 years.
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