biography

How Old Is William Hurt: Verified Age, Birthdate, and Career Timeline

William Hurt was born on March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C., making him 74 years old at time of writing in 2025. He passed away on March 13, 2022, at age 71. Therefore, referen...

Mara Ellison
How Old Is William Hurt: Verified Age, Birthdate, and Career Timeline

William Hurt’s Age and Birthdate

William Hurt was born on March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C., making him 74 years old at time of writing in 2025. He passed away on March 13, 2022, at age 71. Therefore, references to his age typically reflect either his age at his last birthday before his death or the present age had he still been alive. His birth year, 1950, anchors calculations for his age across any given year.

Age Calculation Examples

Use the simple formula: current year minus 1950 (birth year). For example, in 2020 he would have turned 70; in 2023 he would have turned 73. If the date is before March 20 in any year, subtract one from the simple subtraction to account for the upcoming birthday.

  • 2020: 70 years old
  • 2021: 71 years old
  • 2022 (at death): 71 years old
  • 2023 (hypothetical): 73 years old
  • 2025 (current): 74 years old

Verified Career Timeline and Key Milestones

William Hurt’s career spanned stage, film, and television, highlighted by an Academy Award win and several Emmy recognitions. His breakout role in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) earned him the Cannes Best Actor award and an Academy Award nomination. He later earned an Academy Award for Children of a Lesser God (1986), along with multiple nominations for Broadcast News and The Big Kahuna. On television, he starred in the series Damages (2008–2012), for which he received Emmy nominations.

Major Awards and Nominations

YearAwardWorkResult
1986Academy Award for Best ActorChildren of a Lesser GodNominated
1985Cannes Best ActorKiss of the Spider WomanWon
1987Academy Award for Best Supporting ActorBroadcast NewsNominated
2008–2012Primetime EmmyDamagesNominations

Biographical Overview and Birth Details

William Hurt was born March 20, 1950, in Washington, D.C., and spent parts of his childhood in East Africa and Pakistan due to his parents’ work with the U.S. State Department. He attended Amherst College and later trained at the Juilliard School’s Drama Division. His early stage work on Broadway paved the way for his screen debut in the 1980 film Altered States, which brought him initial critical attention.

Formative Years and Education

  • 1950: Born in Washington, D.C.
  • 1968: Graduated from high school in Chevy Chase, Maryland
  • 1972: Earned BA from Amherst College
  • 1975: Completed training at Juilliard

Status Clarifier: Current and Past Status

As of 2025, William Hurt is deceased; he died on March 13, 2022, at age 71. Prior to his passing, he remained active in both film and television, with roles in projects such as the 2021 series "The Movie Showtime." His death followed a battle with cancer. The information above reflects verified public records and reputable biographical sources as of this writing.

Relationship Explanations: Family and Personal Life

William Hurt was married three times. His first marriage was to actress Mary Beth Hurt from 1971 to 1993, with whom he had two children. He later married dancer Jane Elizabeth Murray in 1997, divorcing in 2008. At the time of his death, he was married to Chilean producer Geraldine Page (not to be confused with the actress) from 2009 onward. He is survived by his children and extended family, who have largely maintained privacy.

Family Snapshot

  • Spouses: Mary Beth Hurt (1971–1993), Jane Elizabeth Murray (1997–2008), Geraldine Page (2009–2022)
  • Children: 2
  • Survived by: Children and family members

Net Worth Breakdown

William Hurt’s net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be between $12 million and $20 million, derived from his acting career, endorsements, and investments. Earnings from his notable films, along with residuals and stage work, contributed to this accumulation. Variations in reported figures stem from differences in source evaluations of assets and liabilities.

CategoryEstimateSource Type
Net Worth Range$12M–$20MPublic records and reputable biographies
Primary Income SourcesFilm, television, stageCareer earnings and residuals

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