Marlee Matlin reveals that the uproar following her 2009 revelation of physical and sexual abuse by William Hurt during their two-year relationship in the 1980s intensified after his demise in 2022. Speaking to The Guardian on Saturday, Matlin recounted the dual narratives that emerged on social media—one dismissing her accounts detailed in her 2009 memoir, 'I'll Scream Later,' and another defending her against such dismissals. "They attempted to redefine me, but I refused to be boxed in," she asserted. "I yearned for silence, yet I chose to distance myself from the chatter."
Reflecting on the discourse surrounding Hurt's passing, which coincided with her awards campaign for the 2021 film 'CODA,' Matlin expressed gratitude for not engaging in the online turmoil. "No appeasement could satisfy these individuals," she remarked. "Why should I bother? My past experiences of neglect and disregard made me wary of becoming entangled. Yet, it was fascinating to observe the two factions wrangling over their perceived understanding of me."
The pair first crossed paths during the filming of 'Children of a Lesser God,' the 1986 drama that marked Matlin's screen debut, catapulting her to fame as the youngest Best Actress Oscar winner in history and the only deaf actress to achieve this feat. Matlin has previously recounted how, by the time of the March 1987 ceremony, Hurt had already initiated his abusive behavior towards her.
As Hurt, who presented her with the Oscar after winning Best Actor the previous year for 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' called out and then signed her name, Matlin appeared astounded yet somewhat apprehensive. However, her trepidation stemmed not from besting legends like Jane Fonda, Sissy Spacek, and Kathleen Turner but from confronting Hurt to accept her award. "As I ascended the stairs to receive the Oscar, fear gripped me... I knew deep down that he wasn't pleased," she confessed.
Matlin is the focal point of the new documentary 'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,' which premiered at Sundance in January and will make its theatrical debut nationwide from late June through July. The documentary delves into Hurt's statement in response to her 2009 allegations, where he stated, "My own recollection is that we both apologized and did much to heal our lives. I apologize for any pain I caused then and always will. We have both grown, and I wish Marlee and her family only the best."
Matlin also reflects on her rehab stint for drug addiction, a decision she made upon Hurt's suggestion. "Rehab imparted numerous insights that highlighted the wrongness of my situation," she shared. "The physical, verbal, mental, and emotional abuse were unacceptable. I realized that there."
