Mary Beth Hurt, a Tony Award-nominated actor known for her roles in "Interiors," "The World According to Garp," and "The Age of Innocence," has died at the age of 79. Hurt passed away on Saturday at an assisted living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, which she was diagnosed with in 2015. Her daughter, Molly Schrader, confirmed the news in an Instagram post, stating that Hurt had been suffering from the disease for years. Hurt’s husband, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Paul Schrader, also confirmed her death to the Hollywood Reporter.
Hurt’s career spanned decades, with notable performances on Broadway and in film. She earned three Tony Award nominations for her roles in "Trelawny of the Wells" (1976), "Crimes of the Heart" (1982), and "Benefactors" (1985). Her final Broadway appearance was in the 2011 revival of "The House of Blue Leaves," where she played a nun alongside Ben Stiller and Edie Falco.
In a 1989 interview with The New York Times, Hurt reflected on her career, expressing both pride and frustration with the challenges of sustaining a life in theater. "You can’t make a living doing it," she said, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining a career in straight plays on Broadway. Despite these challenges, she remained committed to her craft, appearing in 15 Broadway productions throughout her career.
Hurt’s daughter described her as a multifaceted individual who embraced her roles with "grace and a kind ferocity." The family found solace in knowing that she was no longer suffering and had been reunited with her sisters in peace. Paul Schrader moved into the same senior-living facility in 2023 to stay close to his wife during her final years.
Born in Iowa, Hurt graduated from New York University’s graduate theater studies program in 1969. She made her New York stage debut in an off-Broadway production of "As You Like It" in 1973 and quickly transitioned to Broadway, where she became a respected figure in the theater community. Her filmography includes collaborations with notable directors, including her husband, Paul Schrader, in "Affliction" and "Light Sleeper."