Marlee Matlin chronicles abuse by William Hurt in new book
Marlee Matlin’s big night, the night she became the first deaf actress to win an Oscar for her role in “Children of a Lesser God,” was marred by abuse.
In her new book, “I’ll Scream Later,” Matlin claims co-star and boyfriend William Hurt abused her that night and many others.
“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.”
The two met while filming “Children of a Lesser God” and hooked up almost immediately.
“We had an affair that night, the last day of the audition,” Matlin said. “We were together for two years. We lived together and it was one of the most … He’s one of the most complex persons that I’ve ever dealt with. But, at the time, living with him was different than anything I’ve ever experienced.”
The relationship had highs and very dangerous lows, according to Matlin. When asked how bad the abuse was, Matlin reported she had fresh bruises daily.
“And if I had a split lip, or if… I mean, there were a lot of things that happened that were not pleasant.”
In her new book, Matlin recounts one of the couple’s fights, where she claims Hurt threw her on the bed and ripped off her clothes while she sobbed, “No, no, no. Please Bill, no.”
At the time, Matlin was addicted to cocaine and pot and said she didn’t think to press charges because she was usually high and had no friends in New York City except her dealer. Hurt was dealing with alcoholism and eventually turned to Alcoholics Anonymous.
“I could say that I understand how women are afraid to leave an abusive relationship,” she continued. “They should, but at the same time, I understand how they don’t know how.”
Matlin said the last time she saw Hurt was three years ago. She didn’t talk to him about their relationship or her plans to put it in her book.
Surprise, Bill!
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment