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Mary Beth Hurt, the acclaimed Tony Award-nominated actress known for her work on stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 79. Hurt’s family revealed that she died on Saturday from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Hurt’s daughter, Molly Schrader, shared the news in an Instagram post, describing her mother as “an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend” who faced life’s challenges “with grace and a kind ferocity.” Hurt’s husband, filmmaker Paul Schrader, confirmed her passing at an assisted living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey. Hurt had been living with Alzheimer’s since her diagnosis in 2015.
A native of Marshalltown, Iowa, Hurt began her illustrious acting career on the New York stage in the early 1970s. She made her off-Broadway debut in 1973 in “As You Like It” and went on to appear in 15 Broadway productions, earning three Tony nominations for her performances in “Trelawny of the ‘Wells,'” “Crimes of the Heart,” and “Benefactors.” Despite her success, Hurt once spoke candidly about the challenges of sustaining a theatrical career in New York, noting the scarcity of straight plays on Broadway and the financial difficulties faced by stage actors.
Hurt’s film career included notable roles in Woody Allen’s “Interiors” (1978), which earned her a BAFTA nomination, as well as “The World According to Garp” (1982), where she starred alongside Robin Williams. She also appeared in Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of “The Age of Innocence” (1993) and several films directed by her husband, Paul Schrader.
Educated in drama at the University of Iowa and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Hurt was married first to actor William Hurt before her marriage to Schrader. The couple shared a deep bond, with Schrader crediting Mary Beth with helping him through personal struggles in the 1980s. After her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Schrader cared for her with devotion, including creating a greenhouse for her at their New York lake house, reflecting her love of gardening.
Hurt’s talent was widely respected in the theater community. Director David Hare praised her as “a fine ensemble actress” with a rare blend of English and American acting traditions, noting her technical skill and improvisational spirit.
Mary Beth Hurt is survived by her husband, Paul Schrader, and their two children, Molly and Sam. Her legacy as a versatile and dedicated performer continues to be celebrated by colleagues and fans alike.