American actor dies in Cork

The death has taken place of American actor, Hurd Hatfield, best known for his title role in the 1945 version of Oscar Wilde'…

The death has taken place of American actor, Hurd Hatfield, best known for his title role in the 1945 version of Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray.

Hatfield (80), who was born William Rukard Hurd Hatfield in Manhattan, moved to Ireland in the early 1970s, restoring and living in Ballinterry House, Rathcormac, in north Cork.

He began his acting career with the Dartington Hall Company in Britain.

While he played many stage roles, he was best known for his film work, where he played opposite greats such as Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Katherine Hepburn, John Gielgud, Greta Garbo and Paul Newman.

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Introduced to Ireland by his good friend Angela Lansbury, Hatfield was closely associated with the Cork Film Festival for many years and the festival directors honoured him by naming their offices Hurd Hatfield House.

He died at a friend's house in Monkstown, Co Cork, on Christmas Day. His remains will be cremated in Dublin today and his ashes will later be scattered over the grounds of his home at Ballinterry House.