Stage and Screen Legend Sir John Hurt Has Passed Away at 77

by · January 27, 2017

It is with immense sadness that we report that the talented star of stage and screen who brought to life on film the iconic Harry Potter character Garrick Ollivander, Sir John Hurt, has died just five days after his 77th birthday.

While not much is known at this time, we do know that in 2015, the actor suffered from pancreatic cancer and was very positive after receiving treatment.

I am overjoyed, I am thrilled. It all looks great for the future, it’s fantastic.

He did not appear to fear death.

I can’t say I worry about mortality, but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it. We’re all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly.

He was slated to work alongside his Potter co-star, Sir Kenneth Branagh, in a West End production of The Entertainer last year, but left the play after receiving advice from his physician. No statement has yet been made from anyone related to or representing Hurt other than to confirm his passing. He is survived by his wife, Anwen Rees-Myers, and his two sons, Alexander “Sacha” and Nick, from a previous marriage to Joan Dalton.

Only a little over a year ago, Harry Potter fans were mourning the death of Alan Rickman, and so far, it appears that 2017 is not likely to be kind to the Potter fandom, either. The news of Hurt’s death was reported first by the Mirror and then spread quickly across the Internet from media outlets to fans throughout the world before trending on Twitter with tags for the actor, Mr. Ollivander, and even the War Doctor.

 

 

Take a look at some of the reactions from Potter stars and other actors before reading further about Hurt’s illustrious career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps best known to fans of the Potter films as the actor who brought the skillful wand-maker Garrick Ollivander to life, Hurt was a well-known and respected acting legend within the entertainment community. He was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for the 1978 film Midnight Express and the other for the 1980 film The Elephant Man, for which he had to undergo seven hours of prosthetic makeup application. He also received a Golden Globe for his work on Midnight Express and four BAFTAs, including a Lifetime Achievement BAFTA. In 2004, he received his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and was knighted in 2015 for his services to drama, receiving his medal from Queen Elizabeth II in July at the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

In addition to his lifelong dedication to acting, Sir John Hurt was a patron to a number of charity organizations, including the Proteus Syndrome Foundation, after he starred in The Elephant Man. Proteus Syndrome is believed to have been the disease his character in the film, John Merrick (based on real-life sufferer Joseph Merrick), suffered from.

Hurt continued to act up until his death, recently finishing work on a number of films that are set to be released in 2017, including Darkest Hour with another Potter co-star, Gary Oldman, and My Name is Lenny with Nick Moran, who played Scabior in Deathly Hallows. He can also be seen now in the new film, Jackie.

Beyond all of the wonderful acting credits to his name, Potter fans will never forget his role in the series as Ollivander. One of the most memorable and perhaps most-played scenes from the films is that of Ollivander meeting Harry for the first time. As we remember and honor the man who gave us all a bewitching introduction to Ollivander, take a look at the magical scene between Daniel Radcliffe and the legendary Sir John Hurt.

A quote from a Potter fan, which was posted on Twitter and went viral around this time last year when we were mourning Alan Rickman, comes to mind at this time.

 

 

For those who grew up reading the Potter books and watching the Potter films, Hurt will forever be a part of our lives. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and friends, as well as fans all across the world who mourn the loss of a talented man.