William Hurt, the Oscar-winning actor of 'Broadcast News,' 'Body Heat' and 'The Big Chill,' has died

William Hurt, the Oscar-winning actor best known for "Broadcast News,'' "Children of a Lesser God," " Body Heat'' and "The Big Chill,'' has died. He was 71. Hurt's son, Will, said in a statement that the actor died Sunday of natural causes, peacefully and among family.  

After his screen debut in 1980's "Altered States'' as a psychopathologist, Hurt quickly emerged as one of the 1980s foremost leading men. In 1983's "The Big Chill,'', Hurt played the Vietnam War veteran Nick Carlton.

He started in New York theater, and then returned to the stage to star on Broadway in David Rabe's "Hurlyburly,'' for which he was nominated for a Tony.  In a long-running career, Hurt was three times nominated for an Academy Award.

He played 1985's "Kiss of the Spider Woman'' drama film which won Hurt the best actor Oscar for his performance as a gay prisoner.