Sir John Hurt has revealed that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning actor released a statement earlier today (June 16) explaining that he is undergoing treatment and “more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome”. The 75-year-old actor, who was knighted last year, also vowed to press on with his professional commitments.
“I have always been open about the way in which I conduct my life and in that spirit I would like to make a statement,” Hurt told the Press Association. “I have recently been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. I am undergoing treatment and am more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome, as indeed is the medical team.”
He added: “I am continuing to focus on my professional commitments and will shortly be recording Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (one of life’s small ironies!) for BBC Radio 4.”
Hurt has been a prolific screen actor since the early 1960s, with his most famous film appearances including 1979’s Alien, 1980’s The Elephant Man and 2008’s Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. He will be seen next year in Warner Bros’ forthcoming live-action Tarzan movie starring Alexander Skarsgård. On TV, he famously played the late Quentin Crisp in 1975’s The Naked Civil Servant.