HERE ARE SOME OF SIR JOHN HURT'S MOST NOTABLE ROLES:
The Elephant Man (1980)
Hurt played the role of severely deformed Englishman John Merrick in the historical drama film set in the late 19th century. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick - otherwise known as the Elephant Man - it tells how he was discovered in a freak show by surgeon Frederick Treves and the issues he faced because of his physical abnormalities.
Alien (1979)
Hurt's character in Alien will go down in history as one of the most unfortunate ever to appear in a sci-fi movie. He played Kane, the executive officer of the spacecraft Nostromo, who was infected by a parasite while returning to Earth after a mission. Kane was then killed in spectacular style by an alien bursting violently out of his chest.
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
Hurt took on the leading role of Winston Smith in the Michael Radford-directed film based on George Orwell's dystopian novel of the same name. Critics praised Hurt for his portrayal of the office worker living in the totalitarian superstate Oceania.
Midnight Express (1978)
Hurt was nominated for another Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in Alan Parker's prison drama Midnight Express. He played Max, an English heroin addict in an inhospitable Turkish prison. He meets fellow prisoner, US college student Billy Hayes who was locked-up after attempting to smuggle hashish out of the country. They, along with other inmates, attempt to break out, or "catch the midnight express".
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 and Part 2 (2001 - 2011)
In recent years, Hurt entertained a new and younger audience as wand shop owner Mr Ollivander in three films in the Harry Potter franchise. The popular character - a wand-maker with a brilliant mind and proprietor of his own shop in Diagon Alley - was first seen advising a young Potter as he selects his wand in 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
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