"The Doctor": Looking Back At John Hurt's Best Roles In Memoriam

Born January 22, 1940, English actor Sir John Hurt left his mark on the film industry with a career spanning over 50 years. Hurt's first big role would come in the 1966 drama, A Man for All Seasons, and his career would only continue to bloom from there. 

You almost wouldn't recognize John Hurt in this next major role he took on and that is one of the reasons he was praised so much for the role. Portraying Quentin Crisp, Hurt fully encapsulated the essence of the famed author and would win a British Television Award for Best Actor.  

John Hurt would continue to win praise with his next role in the BBC drama, I, Claudius. Playing the Roman emperor Caligula, Hurt shined in the part. Ironically, Hurt almost didn't take on the role until he saw how impressive the rest of the cast was. 

Hurt's role in the 1978 film, Midnight Express, would result in his first Academy Award nomination as well as his first Golden Globe win. 

Starring in the first of the films of the Alien franchise, John Hurt would be remembered as the series' first victim. His character, "Kane's" death has become an iconic moment in horror film history thanks to Hurt's incredible talent.

Over the years Hurt showed his versatility and ability to adapt to all sorts of diverse roles. Portraying Joseph Merrick in the 1980 historical film The Elephant Man is no exception to this talent. 

Critics absolutely loved Hurt in this next role. Playing the part of "Winston Smith" in the film adaptation of George Orwell's novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four, John Hurt was hailed as the perfect "Winston". 

You may also recognize the talented actor as wandmaker "Mr. Ollivander" in the Harry Potter films. While not a big role, Hurt's scenes are some of our personal favorites and contributed to the success of the films. 

While he may have played a villain in this next film, Hurt once again shined in the part of a fascist leader, "Adam Sutler", in 2006's V for Vendetta. The 2000s would also see Hurt in Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. 

John Hurt has also had the opportunity to join the small list of stars tasked with playing "The Doctor" on Doctor Who. While Hurt's reign as "The War Doctor" was a short one, for a forgotten incarnation of "The Doctor", Hurt sure is unforgettable as an actor!