Mary Beth Hurt, the Tony-nominated actress known for her subtle, emotionally rich performances in films such as Interiors, Chilly Scenes of Winter, and The World According to Garp, has died at the age of 79.
She passed away on Saturday at an assisted living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey. Hurt had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2015.
A respected figure in both film and theater, Hurt built a career defined by intelligence, restraint, and depth. She appeared on Broadway 15 times between 1974 and 2011, earning three Tony Award nominations. One of her most notable stage roles was Meg Magrath in Crimes of the Heart, a performance that brought her widespread recognition.
In film, Hurt often portrayed complex, layered characters. She made her big-screen debut in Woody Allen’s Interiors (1978), where she played Joey, a struggling artist overshadowed by her accomplished sisters. She followed this with a memorable role in Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979), and later starred as Helen Holm in The World According to Garp (1982), opposite Robin Williams.
Her other notable film appearances include Six Degrees of Separation (1993), The Age of Innocence (1993), The Family Man (2000), and Lady in the Water (2006). She also appeared in several films directed by her husband, filmmaker Paul Schrader.
Despite her extensive body of work, Hurt often preferred supporting roles over leading ones. In a 2010 interview, she explained that she found secondary characters more interesting and creatively fulfilling, often seeking out the unique traits that made each role distinctive.
Born Mary Beth Supinger on September 26, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa, she developed an early interest in acting and went on to study drama at the University of Iowa and later at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She began her career in theater, performing with the New York Shakespeare Festival and making her Broadway debut in 1974.
Hurt was previously married to actor William Hurt before marrying Paul Schrader in 1983. She is survived by her husband and her two children, Molly and Sam.
Throughout her career, Mary Beth Hurt remained a deeply respected performer, admired for her quiet strength and the authenticity she brought to every role.