January 27, 2012 15:23

John Hurt to be given Outstanding Contribution To Cinema BAFTA

Veteran actor will receive special honour at ceremony next month

John Hurt is to be honoured with the Outstanding Contribution To Cinema award at this year's BAFTA Film Awards.

The actor will receive the prestigious title at the ceremony to be held in London next month.

Previous recipients include Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jarman, Mary Selway, Ridley and Tony Scott, Working Title Films and Lewis Gilbert. Last year's recipient was the Harry Potter series of films.

Hurt will be honoured for a career in cinema spanning six decades, for notable roles in 1984, A Man For All Seasons and Midnight Express. He has previously won Best Actor BAFTAs for The Naked Civil Servant in 1976 and The Elephant Man in 1981. More recently he has appeared in Harry Potter and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Hurt said of the news:

I know that film means a great deal to me but I had no idea that I meant so much to film. I am very honoured.

Meanwhile, BAFTA Chairman Tim Corrie added: "John Hurt is an actor it is both exciting and fascinating to watch. He has extraordinary screen presence and brings utter conviction to every role he undertakes. He is one of a kind, an iconic figure, and BAFTA is delighted to take this opportunity to honour his outstanding contribution to cinema."

The BAFTA Film Awards take place on February 12, hosted by Stephen Fry and broadcast on BBC One.