Mary Beth Hurt

Mary Beth Hurt, born Mary Beth Supinger on September 26, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa, is a retired American actress whose work has been widely praised on both stage and screen. She was drawn to performing at an early age, influenced by fellow Marshalltown native Jean Seberg, who also babysat her as a child.

She studied drama at the University of Iowa and furthered her training at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, before making her New York stage debut in 1974. She distinguished herself on Broadway, earning three Tony Award nominations for her performances in “Trelawny of the Wells,” “Crimes of the Heart,” and “Benefactors,” and won an Obie Award for “Crimes of the Heart.”

Her stage work garnered additional honors, including the Clarence Derwent Award and critical acclaim for her roles in both classic and contemporary productions.

Mary Beth Hurt made a striking film debut as Joey in Woody Allen’s “Interiors” (1978), earning a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles. She continued to deliver strong performances in notable films including “Chilly Scenes of Winter” (1979), “The World According to Garp” (1982), “The Age of Innocence” (1993), and “Six Degrees of Separation” (1993).

She also appeared in genre and independent films such as “Light Sleeper,” “Affliction,” “The Dead Girl,” and “Lady in the Water.” Her television credits span appearances in series such as “Law & Order” and main roles in productions like “Working It Out.” She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Female for “The Dead Girl” and other accolades over her long career.

She was married to actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1982, and later married filmmaker Paul Schrader in 1983, with whom she has two children. In 2023, it was disclosed that she had been placed in memory care as a result of advancing Alzheimer’s disease.

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