Despite Marley Matlin’s history with the ex-William Hurt, she had nothing but kind words to say about him after his death on Sunday from complications from prostate cancer. He was 71 years old.
Matlin dated the Body Heat and Big Chill star for two years after they met as co-stars in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God, for which they were both nominated for Oscars. She won. But, as Matlin wrote in her 2009 memoir, I’ll Scream Later, the relationship included physical and emotional abuse. She claimed that one night when Hurt was breaking the news, he raped her.
‘CODA’ actress Marley Matlin at the Critics Choice Awards on March 13 in Los Angeles. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
“You’re the first person to ask me a question about him,” Matlyn told ET Canada in sign language on the Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet Sunday, when a reporter asked her about Hurt’s death. “We have lost a truly great actor and working with him on set in Children of a Lesser God will always be something I will always remember fondly. He taught me a lot as an actor and he was one of a kind. “
In April 2009, Matlin told Access Hollywood that she “always had fresh bruises every day” during a relationship that began when she was 19 and he was 35. She also said she struggled to leave.
At the time, Hurt made a statement to the publication: “I remember that we both apologized and both did so much to heal our lives. Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we’ve both grown. I wish Marley and her family all the best.”
William Hurt and Marley Matlin at the Tony Awards in June 1987. (Photo: Ron Galella Collection/Ron Galella via Getty Images)
Matlin said she didn’t even consider reporting the abuse to law enforcement because she also struggled with drug addiction. Hurt reportedly had his own addictions.
“I was so consumed by his world and my drugs. Drugs took over my life, took over my brain,” Matlin told Access Hollywood. “I was 19 and alone in New York. I had no friends there, except for my drug dealer.”
Matlin is one of many in Hollywood, including Russell Crowe, Antonio Banderas, Mark Ruffalo and Albert Brooks, who have commented on Hurt’s acting legacy since his death.