John Hurt Biography

Fast Facts

• Named Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2004
• In 2006, he became a patron of the charity Project Harar which helps children in Ethiopia who suffer from facial disfigurements
• Voiced the public service announcement ad "AIDS: Iceberg / Tombstone" in 1986
• Named first Chancellor of Norwich University of the Arts in 2012
• Attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
• Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Lincoln
• Born to actress Phyllis and clergyman Arnold Hurt
• Despite having a strict upbringing that prohibited him from seeing films at the cinema opposite his home, he developed a passion for acting while participating in school productions
• To help pay for his college studies, he convinced a few of his friends to pose nude for his artwork and sold the portraits
• Quote: "'If' and 'only' are the two words in the English language that should never be put together․"
• Widely known for his distinctive, deeply grave voice
• Frequently portrays roles in which the characters are cast out from society and mocked, rejected or feared
• Turned down the role of Dr․ Yueh in "Dune․"
• Voiced the character Dr․ Turner in the video game "Tender Loving Care" in 1998
• Was cast in the role of Kane in "Alien" after the original actor, Jon Finch, had to be drop out of the project for medical reasons