William Hurt had spent his last weeks in 'so much pain and suffering' as he didn't want to take painkillers and break his sobriety.
The actor died aged 71 of natural causes, but he was previously diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012.
He was surrounded by close family in his home in Portland, Oregon, when he passed away.
According to a close friend to the actor, he 'went out peacefully'.
"He was experiencing so much pain and suffering, and he went out peacefully," they told MailOnline.
"He was totally against taking opiates because he had been sober for decades."
The source, who said they talked a lot in his last year, added that he was 'still really sharp, right up to the end'.
William died just a week before his 72nd birthday, with his son releasing a statement.
"It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar-winning actor, on March 13, 2022," his son said.
His son stated that the award-winning actor had "died peacefully, among family, of natural causes."
In 2018, it was announced that the actor had prostate cancer, which had metastisized his bones.
However, he explained that a new type of chemotherapy treatment had put the disease into remission.
He made his film debut as troubled scientist Dr. Eddie Jessup in Altered States (1980). He received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the science-fiction project.
The following year, he had a leading role in neo-noir Body Heat (1981), playing lawyer Ned Racine who gets caught up in an affair with Matty Tyler Walker, played by Kathleen Turner.
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Hurt achieved critical acclaim for his role as prisoner Luis Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1986). He won an Academy Award and a BAFTA for his performance.
Following the tragic news of his death, friends and former co-stars paid tribute to the star.
Fellow MCU actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted: "Wow, another major loss to the acting community. Great actor, great mind. RIP."
Piers Morgan took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the late actor, with him writing in his post: "RIP William Hurt, 71. Terrific actor, loved him in Broadcast News."
Topher Grace - who starred alongside Hurt in Too Big to Fail (2011) - wrote: "Grateful that I had the opportunity to work with William Hurt. I admired his acting so much and watching his commitment in person as remarkable."
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