Arise, Sir John Hurt

Legendary Actor John Hurt has been awarded a knighthood (CBE) in The Queen’s New Years Honours. The 74-year-old actor is known for starring in films like Nineteen Eighty-Four, Midnight Express, and Alien. He also starred in the Brooksfilms-produced The Elephant Man, played Jesus Christ in Mel Brooks’ History Of The World Part I, and later parodied his Alien role in Spaceballs. He’s lent his voice to the animated Lord Of The Rings, Disney’s The Black Cauldron, and recently in BBC’s Merlin. In recent years, he’s been seen in V for Vendetta, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and parts of the Harry Potter series.

Hurt has had success on the small screen as well, such as his role as Caligula in I, Claudius, and a forgotten Time War incarnation of The Doctor in the Doctor Who 50th anniversary special. That means Hurt will make television and science-fiction history as the first actor who’s officially played the character to be knighted.

Joan Collins has also been named a dame (CBE) for her services to charity. She is known to many Americans for her role on Dynasty, as well as the role of Edith Keeler in Star Trek’s Hugo-award winning ” The City on the Edge of Forever.” Two other actors with Doctor Who connections were also given OBE’s: future Late Late Show host James Corden was named for services to drama, as was fellow Gavin & Stacey alumnus Sheridan Smith.

Read more at bbc.com

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