Mary Beth Hurt, the actress known for roles in 'Interiors' and 'The World According to Garp,' has died at age 79. Her daughter, Molly Schrader, announced that Hurt succumbed to Alzheimer's disease on Saturday following a diagnosis in 2015. The family shared a poignant tribute highlighting her grace in multiple roles.
Mary Beth Hurt's daughter Molly Schrader and husband Paul Schrader confirmed her death in a social media post. 'Yesterday morning we lost my mom, Mary Beth, to Alzheimer’s after a decade long battle with the disease,' Molly wrote on Instagram. 'She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and she took on all those roles with grace and a kind ferocity. Although we’re grieving there is some comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and is reunited with her sisters in peace.' A similar statement appeared on Facebook from Molly and Paul Schrader. Hurt was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015. Born Mary Beth Supinger on September 25, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa, she studied acting at the University of Iowa and New York University. Her stage debut came in 1974 with the off-Broadway production of 'More Than You Deserve.' She earned three Tony Award nominations for 'Trelawny of the Wells' in 1975, 'Crimes of the Heart' in 1981—for which she won an Obie—and 'Benefactors' in 1985-86. Hurt entered film with Woody Allen's 'Interiors' in 1978, playing Joey alongside Diane Keaton. Notable roles followed in 'The World According to Garp' (1982) as Helen Holm Garp, 'The Age of Innocence' (1993), and 'Six Degrees of Separation' (1993). She also appeared in 'Chilly Scenes of Winter,' 'Autumn in New York' (2000), 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005), 'The Dead Girl' (2006)—earning an Indie Spirit nomination—'Lady in the Water' (2006), and 'Young Adult' (2011). On television, she guested on 'Kojak,' 'Thirtysomething,' 'Saturday Night Live,' and 'Law & Order.' Hurt was married to actor William Hurt from 1971 to 1982 and to filmmaker Paul Schrader from 1983 until her death. She and Schrader shared daughter Molly and son Sam. She collaborated with Schrader on films including 'Affliction' and 'Light Sleeper.'
