Hurd Hatfield was an American actor who is best known for his role as Dorian Gray in the Oscar-winning movie The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). He also appeared in various movies and television shows throughout his career, marked by a distinctive screen presence that often cast him in roles of elegance and menace.
Personal and Family Life
Born William Rukard Hurd Hatfield on December 7, 1917, in New York City, he studied acting at the Chekhov Theatre Studio in England. Hatfield became lifelong friends with actress Angela Lansbury during the filming of The Picture of Dorian Gray, and they maintained a close bond throughout their lives. He lived in Ireland from the early 1970s until his death, enjoying a quiet life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
Career Challenges
Hatfield was widely recognized for his performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, but he often expressed frustration about being typecast. He preferred comedic roles over dramatic ones but found himself often cast as an elegant villain. In later interviews, he admitted that he felt a disconnect between his true self and the character he portrayed, expressing regret about the limitations it placed on his career.
Death and Legacy
Hurd Hatfield passed away on December 26, 1998, in Monkstown, County Cork, Ireland, due to a heart attack. His legacy remains tied to his iconic role in The Picture of Dorian Gray, which has become a classic in film history. Despite his feelings about being typecast, he is remembered for his contributions to cinema and his unique portrayals that captivated audiences.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mickey One | 1965-09-27 | Castle |
| The Boston Strangler | 1968-10-08 | Terence Huntley |
| The Unsuspected | 1947-10-11 | Oliver Keane |
| Destination Murder | 1950-06-09 | Stretch Norton |
| King of Kings | 1961-10-11 | Pontius Pilate |
| The Left Handed Gun | 1958-05-07 | Moultrie |
| The Diary of a Chambermaid | 1946-02-15 | Georges Lanlaire |
| The Picture of Dorian Gray | 1945-03-03 | Dorian Gray |
| Chinatown at Midnight | 1949-11-17 | Clifford Ward |
| Her Alibi | 1989-02-03 | Troppa |
| The Beginning or the End | 1947-02-19 | Dr. John Wyatt |
| Dragon Seed | 1944-07-20 | Lao San Tan – Youngest Son |
| The Double-Barrelled Detective Story | 1965-12-31 | Father |
| Tarzan and the Slave Girl | 1950-06-23 | Prince of the Lionians |
| The Checkered Coat | 1948-07-16 | Stephen “Creepy” Bolan |
| The Norliss Tapes | 1973-02-21 | Charles Langdon |
| Thief | 1971-10-09 | Herman Gray |
| King David | 1985-03-29 | Ahimelech |
| Crimes of the Heart | 1986-12-12 | Old Granddaddy |
| Murder, She Wrote | 1984-09-30 | Jean-Pierre Dusant |
| Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1955-10-02 | Paul Tallendier |