Summary

• Sir John Hurt's legacy is defined by a wide range of roles from demonic villains to sympathetic characters, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
• In iconic films like Alien and The Elephant Man, Hurt's presence and profound performances left a lasting impact on viewers and the industry.
• Despite his passing, John Hurt's incredible body of work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying his status as one of the greatest actors of his time.

The long list of John Hurt movies includes film classics extending all the way back to 1962 and, no matter the size of his role, Hurt always made an impact whenever he was on the screen. Sir John Hurt was an English TV and movie actor who is often regarded as one of the greatest actors of his time, along with fellow countrymen and costars Terrence Stamp, Anthony Hopkins, Richard Attenborough, Ian Holm, and other legendary contemporaries. Hurt passed away in 2017 at the age of 77 but leaves a legacy of incredible performances.

John Hurt was never a major theater actor, unusual for his British contemporaries, but his career exploded as soon as it began. In 1962, he made his film debut in The Wild and the Willing with a significant supporting performance as Phil Corbett. Only a few years later, he would have a crucial part in the renowned A Man for All Seasons. He played gangsters, tyrants, jokesters, lovers, and even wizards. It's difficult to put him in a box. Appearing in over 130 film roles, his best performances stand above.

20 The Black Cauldron (1985)

John Hurt Played The Horned King

The Black Cauldron is a lesser-known animated Disney movie based on The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, a series of novels centered around Welsh mythology. In the film, the Horned King is a demonic, skull-faced emperor set on finding the titular magical cauldron to rule the world. Hurt's iconic, gravelly, and high voice is perfect for the ancient emperor and is a big reason why The Black Cauldron is one of the creepiest animated movies ever. Disney's first PG-rated animated movie, Hurt will always be known as one of the most frightening villains in the Disney canon.

19 Jackie (2016)

John Hurt Played The Priest

The Priest appears in a handful of scenes in Pablo Larraín's Jackie, the Jackie Kennedy biopic that begins a week after her husband, the President, is shot. Jackie, of course, centers on Jackie Onassis, played by Natalie Portman in an Academy Award-nominated performance, but her scenes acting opposite Hurt are some of the best. She comes to the Priest for comfort and, in one incredible sequence, Hurt monologues about the existence of God and why Jackie should keep going. His melodic voice and unassuming confidence are engrossing to hear and watch.

18 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

John Hurt Played Control

Control is the code name of the head of the British overseas intelligence agency in the John le Carré spy novels and is played by Hurt in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. While Hurt leaves the film early when Control dies, his specter lies over the rest of the story. It's Hurt's paranoid, fidgety, and distrustful performance that ensures every time his name is brought up, viewers remember just who he was and why he was so important. His scene with Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) is a masterclass in getting the most out of a big reveal.

17 The Proposition (2005)

John Hurt Played Jellon Lamb

Hurt appears in two scenes in The Proposition as Jellon Lamb, a drunk, philosophizing bounty hunter. The Proposition is a little-known, trippy Western movie from Australia that follows an outlaw who must decide between hunting down his older brother or watching his younger one get killed. Lamb is a crooning drinker who enjoys singing and poetry, and while he may seem a complete fool, he does get the drop on those he's after. He drunkenly monologues about Australian history and what may have been boring, is fascinating and chilling coming from the glassy-eyed Hurt.

16 V For Vendetta (2007)

John Hurt Played High Chancellor Adam Sutler

John Hurt gets some of the best close-ups of his life as Adam Sutler in the film adaptation of Alan Moore's comic, V for Vendetta. The megalomaniacal dictator, played by Hurt, is most often shown on a gigantic TV screen, screaming down on his lackeys and threatening their lives.

A knowing nod to a certain Orwell adaptation Hurt appeared in years earlier, Hurt as Sutler is at his most evil, and even the most baroque and over-the-top dialogue sounds terrifying and personal. When Sutler's downfall is shown in pathetic detail, Hurt is able to switch his portrayal to something so pitiable that the audience starts feeling some sympathy for the tyrant.

15 Hellboy (2004)

John Hurt Played Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm

The first Hellboy was a surprise hit thanks to the wonderful monster in Guillermo del Toro's movie played by Ron Pearlman, as well as the surrounding cast of likable and unusual characters. Hurt plays one of these characters, Trevor "Broom" Bruttenholm, the head of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense and Hellboy's adoptive father.

He's warm, kind, and wise and while Broom may be an elderly man, he has plenty of experience. Broom's quote of the BPRD's motto, "There are things that go bump in the night, we're the ones that bump back," shows his courage and that underneath his elderly exterior, he's a formidable force.

14 A Man For All Seasons (1966)

John Hurt Played Richard Rich

Hurt appears in a supporting role in the Academy Award-winning A Man for All Seasons as Richard Rich, a real-life historical figure who betrays Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) to receive a higher position in court. Surrounded by Orson Welles, Robert Shaw, Vanessa Redgrave, and other legendary talents, Hurt stands out in a crucial role for an actor just starting out. Hurt performs what would end up being a signature of his: a weak, thin-skinned man who is so pitiable and honest, that viewers can't help but feel some sympathy and understanding of his situation.

A Man for All Seasons is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.

13 Watership Down (1978)

John Hurt Played Hazel