3 seconds ago 2010-02-09T21:56:57-08:00
Marlee Matlin chats with Access Hollywood (April 2009)Access HollywoodAccess Hollywood
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The night of the 1987 Academy Awards should have been one of the happiest moments in actress Marlee Matlin 's life.
At age 21, she became the first deaf actress to win an Oscar, for her role in "Children of a Lesser God."
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On her arm that night was her co-star, William Hurt. And in her new book, "I'll Scream Later," Matlin chronicles what she claims happened with Hurt that night and the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of the actor.
"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."
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To Watch Nancy's Interview With Marlee, CLICK HERE.
The stars first met while filming "Children of a Lesser God" and their chemistry was electric - onscreen and off.
"We had an affair that night, the last day of the audition," Matlin continued. "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."
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The two shared a passionate relationship. However, at times, Matlin claims it turned dangerous.
"How bad was the abuse?" Nancy asked.
"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."
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."
"Did you ever thing about filing charges against him?" Nancy asked.
"No, not at the time. I was so wrapped up in his world and my drugs. The drugs took over my life, took over my brain. I was 19 and I was alone in New York City. I had no friends there except my drug dealer," Matlin explained.
At the time, Matlin admits she was addicted to cocaine and pot, while Hurt was an alcoholic, but later sought treatment through 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.
"Did you discuss with him that you were going to be putting this in the book? Does he know it's coming out?" Nancy inquired.
"I did not. I had no contact with him. Really, I had nothing to say to him. He knows what happened, I know what happened. We both were there," Matlin said.
On Tuesday, Hurt released a statment to Access.
"My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives," William Hurt said in his statement to Access. "Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we both have grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good."
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MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Celebrity Scandals - Authors - Celebrities - Movies - News
comments
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Paula LI think he probably did abuse her,he always came accross as an arrogant bastard,alos t sounds like he atmitted to treating her that wayreport abuseposted May 3, 2009 7:19 AM PDT
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CherokeeOH! Please it is not really abuse because she is smart mouth to any men make men piss off .. I know her very well and she is full bs and pity herself everyday no matter what .. she not know which to be honest or pity or make story for money is bs .. she is little victim %@!*# and ego..report abuseposted April 23, 2009 7:48 PM PDT
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LindaPeople, please do not judge unless you have walked in that persons shoe's. Sometimes it takes someone years to talk about things, they have done that they will be judged for, just like you guy's are doing. I lived her life of being beat by a man who said he loved me. So, please stand by her, support her.report abuseposted April 17, 2009 11:56 AM PDT
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michelle rman, thse bbokdealers ought to stop..what the hell is america coming into? people will ay anything true or not, to sell their selves, books, clothing lines, whatever and the media sensationalizes it..wthreport abuseposted April 15, 2009 11:08 PM PDT
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DigglerI'm not sure that I believe her. It seems like celebrities always reveal these supposed deep dark secrets when their careers are dead.report abuseposted April 15, 2009 7:55 AM PDT
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EericNone of this is our business. Marlee is mining this 20 year old dirty laundry to sell books and gain publicity. She is damaging William Hurt. Maybe he was guilty, maybe not, but 20 years of drugs later is no time to dredge this up. If, as other writers suggest, he is a serial abuser, how come she is the only one to come forward? This is cheap, like Edwards campaigning on his wife's creport abuseposted April 15, 2009 4:43 AM PDT
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swimswamMarlee should be praised for exposing William Hurts bad behaviour. If any readers have been physically abused, it can take a long time to let the secret out. She is healing, if she is sharing about her abuse. "YOU GO MARLEE".report abuseposted April 15, 2009 4:26 AM PDT
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Newsjunkie356I'm afraid I just don't believe Ms. Matlin--talented as she is. if Mr. Hurt was abusing her to the point that her face was bruised, her lips split, surely SOMEONE would have noticed it. She is, after all, a working actress. Arguably, she's the most high profile hearing challenged thesp in the US. I notice Mr. Hurt is taking the road. If my ex falsely accused me of abusreport abuseposted April 15, 2009 3:36 AM PDT
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gmbrxAll this to sell a book, it's always something with these stars. I personally don't care, it's her problem, she either gets help or doesn't, I could have lived without the info.report abuseposted April 15, 2009 2:56 AM PDT
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huxcanuxJojo...just because someone does drugs, doesn't mean they're at fault for abuse. Let's blame the perpetrator, not the victim.report abuseposted April 15, 2009 2:51 AM PDT
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