Actor William Hurt dies at 71

William Hurt, the acclaimed actor best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and his work in “Broadcast News,” “A History of Violence” and “Children of a Lesser God,” has died at 71 years old.

His death was confirmed by one of his friends to Variety.

The actor  was nominated for four Oscars over the course of his long career, scoring two best actor nominations for “Broadcast News” and “Children of a Lesser God” and a supporting actor nod for less than 10 minutes of screen time in “A History of Violence.”

William Hurt was one of the most heralded performers of the 1980s, becoming a reluctant bankable, movie star.