Who were William Hurt's wives? Award-winning actor had 4 children from 3 relationships
Oscar-winning actor William Hurt, who starred in famous flicks like 'The Big Chill', 'Broadcast News', and 'Children of a Lesser God', died on Sunday, March 13, aged 71. “It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar-winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday,’’ the actor’s son William said in a statement. “He died peacefully, among family, of natural causes. The family requests privacy at this time.”
William Hurt was not married at the time of his death. The actor first tied the knot with actor Mary Beth Hurt in 1971, a marriage that lasted until 1982. At the time he was married to Beth and during their long separation, he had a relationship with ballet dancer Sandra Jennings. Shortly after news surfaced of Jennings being pregnant with Hurt's son, the actor and Beth made their divorce official. Jennings, who later said she qualified as William’s common-law wife, took the actor to court to attain some of his earnings.
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Hurt married to Heidi Henderson, daughter of Skitch Henderson, in March 1989. The two met while “undergoing alcohol and drug rehabilitation” at the same facility. The two later divorced.
Hurt has four children with three women, Reportedly, he had Alex Hurt, born in 1983, with Sandra Jennings; Samuel Hurt, born in 1989, and William Hurt Jr., born in 1991, with Heidi Henderson; and Jeanne Bonnaire-Hurt, born in 1994, with Sandrine Bonnaire -- a French actor he dated in 1994.
Hurt's most problematic and complicated relationship was with fellow actor Marlee Matlin. The pair starred in the 1986 film 'Children of a Lesser God'. Matlin had alleged that over the course of their two-year long relationship, Hurt was physically abusive, and even left her with bruises and a split lip. She had also accused Hurt of coming home drunk one night and tearing off her clothes and sexually assaulting her after they had an argument. Addressing the allegations, Hurt had told E! News in an interview, " "My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives. Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused."
Hurt, born in Washington, DC, attended Tufts University and later the Juilliard School. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor three years in a row in the 1980s. He won the trophy for his memorable role in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'. Besides Hurt, the only other actors who had three consecutive best actor nods are Paul Muni, Spencer Tracy, Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando, Richard Burton, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Russell Crowe. Hollywood just last month mourned the deaths of 'Law and Order' star Ned Eisenberg, 'M*A*S*H' actress Sally Kellerman and Oscar-winning editor David Brenner.
The Oscar winner's first big role was in Ken Russell’s 'Altered States'. He is also well known for his performances in 'Body Heat' and 'Gorky Park'. He appeared more recently in 'The Incredible Hulk', 'Captain America: Civil War', 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Avengers: Endgame' and “Black Widow'. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe he played General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.