Sad news came across today as actor John Hurt has died at the age of 77. The actor has played dozens of memorable roles. From Alien, to The Elephant Man, Hellboy and many others.
Of course Harry Potter fans best know him as Garrick Ollivander, or simply Mr. Ollivander. Hurt brought the role to life with the same wide eyed wonder and enthusiam that author J.K. Rowling wrote him with.
It was that performance that became the basis for one of the signature attractions at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ollivander’s Wand Experience. While each actor makes the role of “wand keeper” their own, they all emote John Hurt as Ollivander with that same wide eyed wonder that he brought to the role.
The news comes at the start of Universal Orlando’s Celebration of Harry Potter weekend. Last year fans gathered to pay tribute Alan Rickman from the series with a wand ceremony. There’s a good chance that could happen this year as well, as Mr. Hurt played a beloved character as well.
Our thoughts go to his family and many fans.
