Mary Beth Hurt, the versatile stage and screen actress known for her emotionally layered performances in films such as Woody Allen's "Interiors," "The World According to Garp" and Martin Scorsese's "The Age of Innocence," died Saturday after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 79.

Mary Beth Hurt
Mary Beth Hurt

Hurt's daughter, Molly Schrader, announced the news on Instagram on Sunday, March 29, 2026. "Yesterday morning we lost my mom, Mary Beth, to Alzheimer's after a decade long battle with the disease," Schrader wrote. "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."

Hurt's husband, acclaimed writer-director Paul Schrader, with whom she frequently collaborated, also confirmed her passing. She died at an assisted living facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, surrounded by family.

Born Mary Beth Supinger on Sept. 26, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa, Hurt trained at the University of Iowa and earned a master of fine arts degree from New York University. She made her Broadway debut in 1974 and quickly established herself as a formidable stage presence, earning three Tony Award nominations.

Her Broadway nods came for featured actress in a play for "Crimes of the Heart" in 1982, actress in a play for "Benefactors" in 1986, and another performance that showcased her range in serious dramatic works. Colleagues praised her intelligence, precision and ability to convey complex inner lives with subtlety and strength.

Hurt's screen career began in the late 1970s with a breakout role in Woody Allen's 1978 drama "Interiors," playing one of the daughters grappling with family dissolution. Her nuanced performance opposite Geraldine Page, Diane Keaton and Maureen Stapleton earned critical attention and helped launch her film work.

She followed with a memorable turn in George Roy Hill's 1982 adaptation of John Irving's novel "The World According to Garp," starring opposite Robin Williams in the title role. Hurt played Helen Holm, Garp's wife, delivering a performance that blended warmth, intellect and quiet tragedy as the story explored family, ambition and loss.

In 1993, Hurt appeared in two notable films: Scorsese's lavish adaptation of Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence," playing Regina Beaufort, and the ensemble drama "Six Degrees of Separation," based on John Guare's play. Her work across these projects demonstrated her versatility, moving comfortably between period drama, literary adaptation and contemporary theater-to-screen translations.

Hurt frequently collaborated with Schrader, whom she married in 1983 after her first marriage to actor William Hurt ended in divorce in 1982. The couple shared daughter Molly and a son. Their professional partnership included projects that highlighted her dramatic range and emotional depth.

Though she worked steadily through the 1980s and 1990s, Hurt's screen appearances became more selective in later decades. She continued to take on supporting roles in independent films and television, always bringing a grounded authenticity that directors valued. Her last credited screen work came around 2018, after which health challenges limited her public activity.

In 2015, Hurt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. By February 2023, Schrader publicly shared that she had entered memory care as the condition progressed. Friends and family described her quiet strength during the illness, noting the same grace she brought to her acting roles carried into her personal life.

Tributes poured in from colleagues and admirers after the announcement. Many remembered Hurt as a thoughtful, intelligent performer whose understated style left a lasting impression. Directors who worked with her praised her preparation and ability to find truth in complex characters.

"Mary Beth had a rare combination of vulnerability and steel," one longtime associate said. "She could break your heart with a look or a small gesture, but there was always intelligence and purpose behind it."

Hurt's stage career remained a cornerstone of her legacy. Beyond her Tony-nominated roles, she appeared in numerous Off-Broadway and regional productions, earning respect in the theater community for her commitment to the craft. Her work in plays by authors such as Beth Henley and others showcased her affinity for strong female characters navigating emotional terrain.

In film, she also appeared in titles including "Chilly Scenes of Winter" and various ensemble dramas that benefited from her reliable presence. Though never a household-name lead, Hurt was one of those instantly recognizable character actresses whose performances elevated the projects around her.

Her personal life intersected with Hollywood in notable ways. Her marriage to William Hurt in the 1970s placed her in the orbit of rising stars of that era, while her long union with Schrader connected her to some of the most ambitious filmmaking voices of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The couple maintained a relatively private life focused on family and creative work.

Hurt is survived by Schrader, their two children and other family members. No funeral plans were immediately announced, with the family requesting privacy during their grieving period.

The news of her death comes as the entertainment industry continues to reflect on performers from the 1970s and 1980s whose contributions helped shape modern American cinema and theater. Hurt's body of work, though not defined by blockbuster stardom, represents a model of consistent, high-caliber acting across mediums.

Alzheimer's disease, which claimed her life after a 10-year struggle, has affected many in the creative community. Advocates noted that Hurt's quiet battle highlights the importance of continued research, support for caregivers and awareness of the disease's impact on families.

As tributes continue, fans and fellow artists recalled specific moments: her steely resolve in "Interiors," the tender yet complicated dynamics in "Garp," and the poised society figure in "The Age of Innocence." Each performance reflected an actress who approached roles with thoughtfulness and humanity.

Hurt's journey from a small Iowa town to the stages of Broadway and sets of major films embodied the classic story of talent, training and perseverance. Her three Tony nominations stand as testament to her theatrical excellence, while her film roles introduced her to wider audiences.

In a statement reflecting on her life, family members emphasized the many roles she embraced beyond acting — as a devoted wife, mother and friend. Schrader's confirmation of her passing at the Jersey City facility underscored the private nature of her final years.

The entertainment world lost a respected talent whose work often flew under the radar but left a deep impression on those who experienced it. Mary Beth Hurt's contributions to stage and screen will continue to be appreciated by new generations discovering her performances.