I thought John Hurt will beat cancer, says Ian McShane

Actor Ian McShane says he believed old friend John Hurt will survive cancer and it was shocking for him to come to terms with his death.

The 74-year-old actor, who studied with the 'Elephant Man' star at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (

RADA

), says he misses the actor who passed away in January from pancreatic cancer and they shared lots of fond memories together.

.

"It was still a shock as he'd (Hurt) made a few miraculous recoveries before from near-death experiences, and I thought he was well-picked enough to survive anything," says McShane.

The actors got a break in the films together when they debuted in the 1962 movie, 'The Wild And the Willing'.

McShane adds, "I loved him dearly and I miss him a lot. 'The Wild And the Willing' was our first role, then we did our first stage play together and made his first television show together."