William Hurt

Actor William Hurt arrives at the Asian Film Awards presentation ceremony in Hong Kong on Monday, March 23, 2009. Born in Washington, the actor broke out playing an obsessed scientist in the 1980 film "Altered States" and has gone on to earn four Oscar nominations and one win.

Currently, William Hurt stars as Daniel Purcell on the FX drama "Damages." The role earned him his first Emmy nomination, for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, in 2009. Here, he poses with "Damages" co-star (and fellow Emmy nominee) Glenn Close at the 2009 FOX Networks Summer TCA party.

William Hurt, nominated for best supporting actor for his work in "A History of Violence," gestures as he arrives for the 25th annual nominees luncheon hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif., Feb. 13, 2006. Oscar nominees attended the function in anticipation of the Academy Awards scheduled for March 5.

William Hurt's role in "A History of Violence" has earned him an Oscar nomination. Although he has only a small role in terms of screen time, it's a doozy.

George Clooney, left, and William Hurt greet one another at the New York premiere of "Syriana" on Nov. 20, 2005. Both are nominated in Oscar's supporting actor category: Hurt for "A History of Violence" and Clooney for "Syriana." Both actors appear in "Syriana." Clooney stars as Bob Barnes, a retired CIA operative in the Middle East and Hurt plays his long-time associate, also a CIA operative.

At the Australian Open — GETTY IM AGES/Adam Pretty

Actor William Hurt watches Samantha Stosur of Australia defeat Sybille Bammer of Austria in her third-round match during day six of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 21, 2006, in Melbourne.

Looking a little cooler at the Australian Open on Jan. 21, 2006, were, from left, actors Eion Bailey, Claire Forlani and William Hurt.

Actors William Hurt and Viggo Mortensen attend a dinner reception for a screening of "A History of Violence" at Abboccato Ristorante on Nov. 9, 2005, in New York City.

New York Screening — GETTY IMAGES/Paul Hawthorne

Actors William Hurt, Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello attend the screening of "A History of Violence" at the Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center on Nov. 9, 2005, in New York City.

William Hurt, from left, Laura Elena Harring, Pell James and Mexican actor Gael Barcia Bernal, pose for photographers during an appearance for the film "The King," directed by James Marsh. The film was shown in the parallel competition "Un certain regard" (A particular look) at the 58th international Cannes film festival on May 15, 2005.

Actor William Hurt arrives at the New York film premiere of "The Village" on July 26, 2004, at Prospect Park in New York City.

Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt attend a pre-screening dinner for the world premiere of "The Village" on July 26, 2004, at Prospect Park in New York City.

Actor William Hurt arrives at Movieline's Hollywood Life 2004 Breakthrough Awards at the Henry Fonda Theatre on Dec. 12, 2004, in Hollywood.

Here are some people from "A History of Violence," going casual at the 58th International Cannes Film Festival May 16, 2005 in Cannes, France. They are, from left, William Hurt, director David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ashton Holmes.

And here is the same group, all dressed up and lined in the same order, as they attend a screening of "A History of Violence" later the same day (May 16, 2005) at the 58th International Cannes Film Festival. Again, they are William Hurt, Canadian director David Cronenberg, Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ashton Holmes.