Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt has died from cancer aged 77.

Pic: Sir John was awarded a lifetime achievement award in 2012. 

Entertainment reporter(wp/es):

Veteran British actor Sir John Hurt has died from cancer aged 77.

Tributes have poured into the star, who was best known for his roles as the title character in The Elephant Man, wizard Mr Ollivander in the Harry Potter films and Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant.

During his illustrious career Sir John was twice-nominated for Oscar and received four Baftas including a lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to British cinema.

His agent, Charles McDonald, confirmed on Saturday Sir John had died after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Hollywood legend Mel Brooks described him as "a truly magnificent talent".

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

Stephen Fry celebrated the "great man" for excelling as an actor, whether he was working in cinema, television or on the stage.

Richard E Grant tweeted: "So so sad to have lost such an extraordinary talent and friend. Sir John Hurt. R. I. P."

News broke of the actor’s cancer diagnosis in June 2015.

Sir John, who received his two Oscar nods for the roles in The Elephant Man and Midnight Express, said at the time: “"I have always been open about the way in which I conduct my life and in that spirit I would like to make a statement.

"I have recently been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. I am undergoing treatment and am more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome, as indeed is the medical team.

"I am continuing to focus on my professional commitments and will shortly be recording Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (one of life's small ironies!) for BBC Radio 4."

He later told the Radio Times: "I can't say I worry about mortality, but it's impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it.

"We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly. But my treatment is going terrifically well, so I'm optimistic."

Despite his illness, he continued to work at a prodigious rate, starring in Jackie Kennedy biopic Jackie, thriller Damascus Cover and the upcoming biopic of boxer Lenny McLean, My Name Is Lenny.

Sir John enjoyed a big hit with sci-fi horror Alien in 1979 and his character's final scene has been frequently named as one of the most memorable in cinematic history.

He was knighted by the Queen for services to drama at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2015.