The Marvel Cinematic Universe has sadly lost one of its stars. Oscar-winning actor William Hurt, who played Thunderbolt Ross in multipleMarvel Studios' films, passed away from natural causes on Sunday, March 13th, at the age of 71.
Hurt received numerous accolades during his decades-long career, including four Academy Award nominations (one of which he won in 1985 for his performance inThe Kiss of the Spider Woman) as well as three Golden Globes nods. While the celebrated actor became known as a leading man in the 1980s, he managed to charm his way into the hearts of younger generations for his portrayal of General Thaddeus E. Ross in2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, a role which he reprised inMarvel Studios’Captain America: Civil War,Avengers: Infinity War,Avengers: Endgameand, most recently, 2021’sBlack Widow.
RELATED:Is The MCU Finally Making A Tonal Shift With Its New Projects?
Hurt’s son Will announced the sad news in a statement. “It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father, and Oscar-winning actor, on Jul 16, 2025, one week before his 72nd birthday. He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes,” read the statement, per Variety. Despite being one of the most notable actors of his generation, Hurt was famously private. That aversion to Hollywood led him to turn down roles in several blockbuster films, including that of Paul Sheldon in 1990’sMiseryand Dr. Grant inSteven Spielberg’sJurassic Park. The actor didn’t even read the 1993 film’s script before rejecting the part, which ended up going to Sam Neill.
Although he passed on the opportunity to star in such a popular film, Hurt did work with Spielberg 2001’sA.I. Artificial Intelligence. In the science-fiction drama, Hurt played Professor Hobby, the scientist who created a child-like android (Haley Joel Osment) uniquely programmed with the ability to love. The film received positive reviews from critics and performed well at the box office, earning an estimated $235 million worldwide.
Hurt also appeared as Professor John Robinson in the 1998 big-screen adaptation ofLost in Space, which didn’t become a box office hit that would spawn a franchise or even a sequel despite earning moderate success. He also starred inthe 2000 miniseries adaptation of Frank Herbert’sDune, which was broadcasted on the Sci Fi channel. Other roles include Edward Walker in M. Night Shyamalan’sThe Village, Walt McCandless inInto the Wild, and menacing mob boss Richie Cusack in David Cronenberg’s 2005 action thrillerA History of Violence.
