- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Mary Beth Hurt, Tony-Nominated Broadway Star, Dies at 79
The actor co-starred in films like 'The World According to Garp' and 'The Age of Innocence'.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:33pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The passing of acclaimed actor Mary Beth Hurt evokes the bittersweet beauty and transience of a life in the spotlight.NYC TodayMary Beth Hurt, a Tony Award-nominated actor known for her roles on Broadway and in films such as 'The World According to Garp,' 'Six Degrees of Separation,' and 'The Age of Innocence,' has died at the age of 79. Hurt, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2015, passed away on Saturday in New Jersey. She was the wife of filmmaker Paul Schrader and appeared in several of his movies.
Why it matters
Hurt was a respected and versatile actor who had a long career on stage, in film, and on television. Her death marks the passing of a talented performer who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry over several decades.
The details
Hurt earned three Tony nominations during her career, for performances in 'Trelawny of the Wells' in 1975, 'Crimes of the Heart' in 1981, and 'Benefactors' in 1985. She was last on Broadway in 2011, playing a nun in a revival of 'The House of Blue Leaves' with Ben Stiller and Edie Falco. Hurt's film credits include 'Interiors,' 'Chilly Scenes of Winter,' 'Six Degrees of Separation,' 'The Age of Innocence,' 'Autumn in New York,' 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose,' and 'Young Adult.' She was married to actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1982 and later married filmmaker Paul Schrader in 1983.
- Hurt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2015.
- Hurt passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2026.
The players
Mary Beth Hurt
A Tony Award-nominated actor known for her roles on Broadway and in films such as 'The World According to Garp,' 'Six Degrees of Separation,' and 'The Age of Innocence.' She died at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2015.
Paul Schrader
Hurt's husband, a filmmaker who directed her in the movies 'Affliction' and 'Light Sleeper.' He had moved into Hurt's senior-living facility in 2023 to stay close to her.
Molly Schrader
Hurt's daughter, who announced her mother's passing on Instagram.
What they’re saying
“'She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend. She took on those roles with grace and a kind ferocity.'”
— Molly Schrader, Hurt's daughter
“'I've never been extremely comfortable playing the lead. I don't like the responsibility; there's a feeling that I have to be good. Besides, I found secondary parts much more interesting, especially when I was younger and the ingénue roles were pretty bland.'”
— Mary Beth Hurt
The takeaway
Mary Beth Hurt's passing marks the end of an era for Broadway and film fans, as they mourn the loss of a talented and versatile actor who brought her unique blend of grace and ferocity to a wide range of memorable roles over the course of her long career.
