Marlee Matlin on William Hurt's alleged abuse: 'I was always afraid of him'
"The Big Chill" actor William Hurt – best known to a younger generation from the TV series "Damages" – is definitely having a career resurgence.
It's just been announced that he'll star as the Earl of Pembroke in Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood," along with award-winning actors Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.
So it's a bad time for shocking revelations about his past -- including alleged physical abuse -- detailed in a new book by his former girlfriend, "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Marlee Matlin, titled "I'll Scream Later."
In 1987 Matlin became the first deaf actress to win an Oscar for her role opposite Hurt in "Children of a Lesser God."
But here's what we didn't know. "I was afraid. I was always afraid ...of him," Matlin told "Access Hollywood's" Nancy O'Dell. "But I loved him. I did. Or maybe I thought I did. But look, I was 19, he was 35."
"I always had fresh bruises everyday," the actress revealed. "And if I had a split lip, or if ... I mean, there were a lot of things that happened that were not pleasant."
They lived together for two years. She called Hurt "one of the most complex persons that I've ever dealt with." But the actress never pressed charges.
"I was so wrapped up in his world and my drugs.... I was 19 and I was alone in New York City. I had no friends there except my drug dealer," Matlin explained.
Matlin admits she was addicted to cocaine and pot and claims that Hurt was an alcoholic who later sought treatment through Alcoholics Anonymous. She credits her tumultuous relationship with Hurt for getting her into the Betty Ford Clinic, which is where she was when she got the call about her Oscar nomination.
Matlin did not contact Hurt to let him know about her autobiography.
"He knows what happened, I know what happened. We both were there," Matlin told "Access Hollywood."
Are you shocked by these allegations?
Photo: William Hurt and Marlee Matlin at the Tony Awards in 1987. Credit: WireImage
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It is surprising that after all these years she chose to reveal damaging charges about her abusive relationship with Hurt. But then she was a 19yr old druggie and he was an alcoholic. So twas to be expected. Since then they have both been thru rehab programs. Hopefully that has made them more responsible adults.
We live in a world where an alleged human being walks into a Virginia Tech classroom building two years ago and intentionally murders 32 innocent victims so no, I'm not surprised that Marlee Matlin is accusing a then-alcoholic William Hurt of physically abusing her. I would, however, like to have seen the story include a response to the allegations from Hurt.
Seeking attention and revenge in the press for old wounds has always been very suspect to me. The least she could have and should have done is to let him know her intentions. I can't imagine she feels any better now that she's done it. But if she does, then she needs serious therapy, or a different therapist. I'm surprised her friends and loved ones didn't encourage her to go to the source of her issues first, to heal her wounds in a more upstanding and private fashion. What kind of friends does she have, who wouldn't have encouraged that, and if they did, why wouldn't she listen?
I don't recall Hurt's doing a tell-all regarding Matlin's multiple addictions. She should have skipped this nasty bit of revenge, which will do more to diminish her than it will Hurt. She has managed to erase any sympathy I felt for her deafness.
Maybe she wanted him to ask her forgiveness and he would not. I agree that this will not make her feel better. And, she could have let him know what she was going to say. Drugs and alcohol. Nothing good comes from them.
Hollywood people deserve each other
From UPI's entertainment site, William Hurt said:
"My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives," Hurt said. "Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we have both grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good."
the past is the past. pls. move on marlee.
Why should she cover for his bad behavior? Domestic abuse is serious and I commend her for her honestly.
Your's the worst