Mary Beth Hurt, known for ‘The World According to Garp,’ dies at 79

Mary Beth Hurt, an acclaimed character actor, died on Sunday, March 29, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 79.

The actress was notable for appearing in films, including Woody Allen’s movie, Interiorsand The World According to Garp. Hurt’s death news was announced through a social media post shared by her daughter, Molly Schrader, and her husband, writer-director Paul Schrader.

“She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and she took on all those roles with grace and kind ferocity,” the Facebook post read. “Although we’re all grieving there is some comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and reunited with her sisters in peace.”

Hurt built a career across stage, film, and television, frequently collaborating with her husband, Schrader, on projects including Affliction and Light Sleeper.

Born Mary Beth Supinger in Iowa, she was married to actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1981. She trained at the University of Iowa before continuing her studies at NYU, making her New York stage debut in 1974.

A Tony nominee, Hurt earned recognition for her performances in Crimes of the Heart, which also brought her an Obie Award, as well as Trelawny of the Wells and Benefactors.

She made her film debut in Interiorscast by Woody Allen, portraying one of three sisters navigating a fractured family. She went on to appear in The World According to Garp, Chilly Scenes of Winter, The Age of Innocencedirected by Martin Scorsese, and Six Degrees of Separation.