5 Shocking Truths About Marlee Matlin And William Hurt’s Tumultuous, Oscar-Winning Relationship
The relationship between Marlee Matlin and William Hurt remains one of Hollywood’s most complex and disturbing chapters, a story that intertwines groundbreaking artistic achievement with a dark reality of abuse. As of December 23, 2025, the conversation around their two-year romance has seen a significant resurgence, particularly following Hurt’s death in 2022 and Matlin’s continued candid discussions in her memoir and recent documentary.
Their connection began on the set of the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God, a collaboration that catapulted Matlin to global fame and made her the youngest and first deaf performer to win an Academy Award. However, behind the scenes, the dynamic between the 19-year-old rising star and the established 35-year-old actor was allegedly one of control, manipulation, and violence, a truth Matlin has bravely shared to shed light on the silent epidemic of domestic abuse.
Complete Biography and Professional Profile
The lives of William Hurt and Marlee Matlin intersected at a pivotal moment in their careers, representing a clash of established stardom and emerging talent.
- Marlee Matlin: The Groundbreaking Activist
- Born: August 24, 1965, Morton Grove, Illinois, U.S.
- Deafness: Lost nearly all her hearing at 18 months old due to illness.
- Career Debut: Made her professional stage debut at age 7 and her film debut in Children of a Lesser God (1986).
- Key Achievements: Youngest person to win the Academy Award for Best Actress (at age 21) and the only deaf performer to ever win an Oscar.
- Notable Works: Children of a Lesser God, The L Word, Switched at Birth, and the Oscar Best Picture winner CODA.
- Activism: A prominent figure in the Deaf community, advocating for accessibility and representation.
- William Hurt: The Intense Leading Man
- Born: March 20, 1950, Washington, D.C., U.S. (Died March 13, 2022)
- Education: Studied theology at Tufts University before attending the Juilliard School’s Drama Division.
- Career Debut: Film debut in Altered States (1980).
- Key Achievements: Academy Award winner for Best Actor for Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), and three other Oscar nominations.
- Notable Works: Body Heat, The Big Chill, Broadcast News, A History of Violence, and his later role as General Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
- Death: Passed away in 2022 at age 71 from complications of prostate cancer.
The Co-Star Romance That Turned Into Alleged Abuse
The story of Matlin and Hurt is inseparable from the success of Children of a Lesser God. Hurt played James Leeds, a speech teacher, and Matlin played Sarah Norman, a deaf woman working at a school for the deaf. Their on-screen chemistry was palpable, translating into a real-life romance that began during production.
The age gap—Hurt was 35 and Matlin was 19—was significant, but the relationship quickly escalated into a two-year cohabitation. Matlin has described the initial phase as passionate, but the dynamic soon became dangerously difficult. Hurt, who was struggling with substance abuse at the time, allegedly became possessive and controlling.
In her 2009 memoir, I'll Scream Later, Matlin detailed the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse she allegedly endured. She wrote about being slapped, shoved, and even raped. The atmosphere of their shared home was reportedly one of constant fear and volatility, with Matlin claiming she had "bruises every day."
One of the most shocking anecdotes Matlin shared involved Hurt allegedly throwing her onto a bed and yelling, "I hate the fact that you're deaf!" The intense pressure of her sudden fame, coupled with the alleged abuse, led Matlin to a suicide attempt, a moment she credits Hurt with saving her from, though she maintains the abuse was a "habit."
The Crucial Intervention of Henry Winkler
A lesser-known but critical entity in this painful narrative is actor Henry Winkler, best known as "The Fonz" from Happy Days. Matlin has repeatedly credited Winkler with providing the emotional lifeline she needed to finally escape the abusive relationship.
Winkler, who had become a mentor to Matlin, was reportedly always available to her, offering a safe space and consistent support as she navigated the turbulent end of her relationship with Hurt. Matlin described Winkler's help as an "open door" that saved her from the destructive cycle. This intervention highlights the importance of external support systems for survivors of domestic violence, even for those in the seemingly glamorous world of 1980s Hollywood.
The Post-Memoir Backlash and Hurt’s Response
When Matlin published I'll Scream Later in 2009, the allegations—which included physical and sexual abuse—sent shockwaves through the industry. William Hurt issued a statement in response, which, while not a direct admission of the specific abuse claims, acknowledged the difficulties of their time together. Hurt stated, "I have taken a forty-year journey to face my alcoholism and the resulting psychological damage," and offered an apology for any pain he caused.
The conversation was reignited with ferocity following William Hurt's death in March 2022 from prostate cancer. Matlin was asked about her former co-star's passing on the Critics Choice Awards red carpet. Her response, which included the sentiment that she had "fond memories" of him despite the abuse, sparked a wave of public backlash.
In the post-#MeToo era, the discussion became a case study in how society treats survivors who speak out, especially after the alleged abuser has passed away. Critics questioned why Matlin would express any positive feelings, while supporters defended her right to hold complex, contradictory emotions about a significant figure in her past.
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore and the Final Word
The most recent update to this story comes from the new documentary, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, where the actress once again revisits the trauma of the relationship. In the documentary, Matlin offers a nuanced perspective, giving Hurt "an ounce of credit" for saving her life during the suicide attempt, but emphasizing that he was also "threatened by my youth" and immediate success.
By speaking out repeatedly—in her memoir, in interviews, and now in a documentary—Matlin has cemented her role not just as an Oscar-winning actress but as a powerful deaf activist and a survivor who uses her platform to address narcissistic abuse and domestic violence. Her continued willingness to share the painful details of her two-year relationship with William Hurt ensures that the full, complicated truth—of a passionate romance marred by alleged violence—is not forgotten by Hollywood history. The story serves as a stark reminder that even the most celebrated achievements, like their joint Oscar wins for the Mark Medoff play adaptation, can hide deep personal suffering.
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