William Hurt signing autographs at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival (photo by sheksay)
NPR Fresh Air host Terry Gross has a fascinating interview with William Hurt. Hurt is promoting his film The Yellow Handkerchief, but he discussing a wide range of topics and gives an intriguing glimpse into this very fascinating guy.
Among many other things, he discusses working and Raul Julia to film Kiss of the Spider Woman — a role that earned Hurt a Best Actor Oscar. He also shares a story about an excursion he made during a filming break in Brazil during which he and a date were held hostage and lmost executed by thieves during a home robbery. He also discusses how he managed to turn a cameo in A History of Violence into the “shortest Academy Award nomination in history” — he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
He also shares many personal details about his roller-coaster, multinational upbringing and his close relationship to his mother, his father and his step-father. Throughout the interview, he gives a glimpse into his world view and personal life philosophy. This highly recommended interview is quite an intriguing look into the life and mind of a thoughtful, bright, and very unique personality.
This one is definitely worth your time: