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Hollywood actress Mary Beth Hurt has tragically died aged 79 after a battle with Alzheimer's. The star was best known for her roles in The World According to Garp, The Age of Innocence and Bringing Out the Dead. During her career, Mary also worked alongside her husband, writer-director Paul Schrader, on films such as Light Sleeper and Affliction. The actress's tragic death was confirmed on Facebook by Paul and their daughter, Molly.

In the heartbreaking post, they penned: "She was an actress, a wife, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a friend, and she took on all those roles with grace and kind ferocity. "Although we're all grieving, there is some comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering and reunited with her sisters in peace."

Social media was inundated with tributes from heartbroken fans, as one shared: "So sad to note the passing of Mary Beth Hurt. She was one of my favourite actresses over the decades ... Rest in Peace. You and your work will be remembered."

"Soar on, Mary Beth Hurt. Soar on. Thank you for the memories," added a second.

Another added: "She had a way of bringing nuanced characters to life in her films, interiors and garp are classics for a reason."

A fourth penned: "Rest in peace, Mary Beth Hurt. Such a wonderful actress with great range, we just enjoyed her performance again as we rewatched Joan Micklin Silver's Chilly Scenes of Winter."

The actress was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on September 25, 1946 and studied drama at the University of Iowa and at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

She married fellow acting legend William Hurt in 1971, but they divorced after 11 years.

Mary's stage career took off in New York in 1974, where she starred on Broadway and was later nominated three times for a Tony Award for her performances in Trelawny of the Wells, Crimes of the Heart, and Benefactors.

In 1978, Mary appeared on screen for the first time, starring in Interiors by Woody Allen, for which she was later nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer.

She later reached new heights of stardom in the early 80s alongside Robin Williams in The World According to Garp, before landing a role in Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence.

Her final film credit was for the 2018 drama Change in the Air, while her last TV appearance was in an episode of Law and Order in 2009.

Mary leaves behind her husband, Paul Schrader, and their two children, Molly and Sam.