Veteran actor John Hurt has died at the age of 77.
Hurt admitted that he had been suffering from pancreatic cancer since 2015 and was said to be in remission, however he had been plagued by ill health since the diagnosis. However, Hurt had said that he would continue working while in treatment.
With a career spanning six decades, Hurt came to prominence in the '70s with roles in Alan Parker's Midnight Express, Ridley Scott's Alien and David Lynch's The Elephant Man. All told, Hurt starred in close to 129 films with countless television and theatre roles.
Mel Brooks, who produced The Elephant Man, led tributes to Hurt, saying that he carried the film into "cinematic immortality."
No one could have played The Elephant Man more memorably. He carried that film into cinematic immortality. He will be sorely missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) January 28, 2017
Stephen Fry, who starred alongside Hurt in the adaptation of V For Vendetta, called Hurt a great man and praised his work with local football team Norfolk.
Oh no. What terrible news. We've lost #JohnHurt as great on the stage, small screen and big. A great man & great friend of Norfolk & #NCFC
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 28, 2017
Author JK Rowling also offered tributes to the actor, who starred as Garrick Ollivander in the Harry Potter series.
So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 28, 2017
Hurt is survived by his fourth wife, Arwen, and his sons.
