'Harry Potter,' 'The Elephant Man' alum John Hurt dies at 77

Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Screen icon John Hurt has died in London at the age of 77.

The Hollywood Reporter, which confirmed his Friday death, said Hurt announced in June 2015 that he was battling pancreatic cancer.

The British actor's credits include the Harry Potter and Hellboy film franchises, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Elephant Man, 1984, A Man for All Seasons, Midnight Express and Alien.

"So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died. My thoughts are with his family and friends," Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling said on Twitter.

"No one could have played The Elephant Man more memorably. He carried that film into cinematic immortality. He will be sorely missed," filmmaker Mel Brooks tweeted.

"The crumpled grandeur of John Hurt was always a joy to behold. That voice, those eyes - an almost painful sensitivity. So many wonders. RIP," said Sherlock co-star and writer Mark Gatiss.

"My deepest sympathies to John Hurt's family, friends and fans. He was a dear friend," actor Kiefer Sutherland offered.

"John Hurt was nothing if not movingly human. Loyal, loving and incredibly intelligent and kind. He was family," writer-director-producer Guillermo del Toro said in a post.

So very sad to hear that the immensely talented and deeply beloved John Hurt has died. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 28, 2017