Mary Beth Hurt, an actress nominated for three Tony Awards and known for her roles in films such as Interiors and The World According to Garp, has died at the age of 79. Her death was confirmed by her husband, writer-director Paul Schrader, and daughter, Molly Schrader.
Hurt passed away on Sunday from Alzheimer's disease, a condition she had been diagnosed with in 2015.
Confirmation of Passing
Mary Beth Hurt died on Sunday, December 24, at an assisted living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was 79 years old. Her passing was confirmed by her husband, Paul Schrader, and daughter, Molly Schrader, via a joint social media post.
A Distinguished Career Across Stage and Screen
Born Mary Beth Supinger on September 26, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa, Hurt pursued her acting studies at the University of Iowa and New York University (NYU). Her career spanned nearly five decades, showcasing her versatility across Broadway, independent films, and television.
Broadway LegacyHurt made her New York stage debut in 1974, beginning a remarkable Broadway career that saw her appear 15 times between 1974 and 2011. Her debut was in a revival of Love for Love. She garnered significant critical acclaim, receiving three Tony Award nominations:
- 1976: For her performance in Trelawny of the “Wells”.
- 1982: For Crimes of the Heart, a role she originated off-Broadway and for which she earned an Obie Award.
- 1986: For her role in Benefactors.
Hurt's film career began in 1978 with her big-screen debut in Woody Allen’s drama Interiors, where she portrayed the character Joey. Her extensive filmography includes a variety of memorable roles:
- Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979)
- The World According to Garp (1982), as Helen Holm
- Slaves of New York (1989)
- Parents (1989)
- Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
- Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (1993)
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
- The Dead Girl (2006), earning her an Indie Spirit Award nomination
- The Lady in the Water (2006)
- Young Adult (2011)
- Change in the Air (2018)
Mary Beth Hurt frequently collaborated with her husband, Paul Schrader, appearing in several films he directed. These include Light Sleeper (1992), Affliction (1997), The Walker (2007), and Adam Resurrected (2008).
On television, she held guest roles in popular series such as Law & Order, Thirtysomething, and Kojak. She was reported to have often expressed a preference for secondary roles, stating that she found them more interesting and enjoyed developing characters with unique idiosyncrasies.
Personal Life
Mary Beth Hurt was previously married to actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1981 or 1982. She married writer and director Paul Schrader in August 1983.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Schrader, her daughter Molly, and her son Sam.