(Born Jan. 22, 1940) John Hurt is an English actor. His first major role was as Richard Rich in 1966's A Man for All Seasons. However, it was his portrayal of the outrageous Quentin Crisp in the 1975 TV play, The Naked Civil Servant, that shot him to fame. He subsequently developed a successful film career, with his best known roles including the memorable first victim of the title creature in the film Alien and as "John" Merrick in the Joseph Merrick biography The Elephant Man.