William Hurt (1950-2022) was an American actor, a prominent figure in 1980s cinema, known for his ability to portray complex, intellectual, and often introspective characters.

He achieved fame with films such as the neo-noir thriller *Body Heat* (1981). His performance in *Kiss of the Spider Woman* (1985) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, followed by nominations for *Children of a Lesser God* (1986) and the comedy *Broadcast News* (1987).

His acting style was characterized by measured, subtle, and psychologically nuanced acting. In his later career, he continued to shine in supporting roles, often as authority figures or morally ambiguous characters, such as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.