William Hurt

William Hurt (1950–2022) was an American actor known for restrained, psychologically complex performances in films including Kiss of the Spider Woman, Broadcast News, and The Big Chill.

Kiss of the Spider Woman: A 1985 drama film in which two prisoners form a bond under Brazil’s military dictatorship. Hurt won the Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Luis Molina.
Héctor Babenco: An Argentine-Brazilian film director whose works include Kiss of the Spider Woman. Babenco directed Hurt in the role that brought him an Academy Award.
Juilliard School: A performing-arts conservatory in New York City, founded in 1905. Hurt studied acting at Juilliard before building his career on stage and screen.
Academy Award for Best Actor: An annual Academy Award recognizing a leading performance by an actor in a film. Hurt won the award for Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1986.
Broadcast News: A 1987 comedy-drama about ambition, ethics, and romance in a television newsroom. Hurt’s performance as anchorman Tom Grunick earned an Academy Award nomination.
Lawrence Kasdan: An American filmmaker and screenwriter who directed The Big Chill and The Accidental Tourist. Kasdan cast Hurt in two prominent films that helped define his early screen career.
Stella Adler: An American acting teacher whose approach emphasized imagination, text, and social context. Hurt studied with Adler, whose teaching formed part of his theatrical training.
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor: An annual Academy Award recognizing a supporting performance by an actor in a film. Hurt received nominations in this category for A History of Violence and two other films.
The Big Chill: A 1983 ensemble drama about college friends reuniting after one friend’s death. Hurt played Nick, a Vietnam veteran confronting his postwar life.
James L. Brooks: An American filmmaker known for directing and writing character-driven comedies and dramas. Brooks directed Hurt as Tom Grunick in Broadcast News.

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Holly HunterRelated: Hurt played opposite Hunter in Broadcast News as anchor Tom Grunick.