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Jean Smart, William Hurt

Jean Smartis mourning the loss ofWilliam Hurt, who died Sunday at the age of 71.

“I just found out about 5 minutes ago and I’m crushed,” Smart told Costa on the red carpet. “We met in our early 20s in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and I admired him a lot and I’m very sad. He was very talented.”

“It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday. He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes. The family requests privacy at this time,” his son wrote.

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William Hurt poses for a portrait during the 2016 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour

Born March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C., Hurt studied acting at Juilliard School and began performing with the Circle Repertory Company in 1977, the same year he made his onscreen debut inKojak. His first major role was in Ken Russell’s 1980 sci-fi filmAltered States, before he went on to success on the big screen through the ’80s with roles in such films asBody Heat,The Big Chill,Broadcast News, andThe Accidental Tourist.

Hurt was also well-known for portraying General Thaddeus Ross in five Marvel movies:The Incredible Hulk(2008),Captain America: Civil War(2016),Avengers: Infinity War(2018),Avengers: Endgame(2019), andBlack Widow(2021).

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“Grateful that I had the opportunity to work with William Hurt,“wroteTopher Grace, who starred with Hurt in 2011’sToo Big to Fail. “I admired his acting so much and watching his commitment in person was remarkable. My thoughts are with his family.”

“Wow, another Major loss to the acting community. Great actor. Great mind. RIP,” Hurt’sAvengers: EndgamecostarMark Ruffalowrote.

source: people.com