Marlee Matlin Calls Ex William Hurt ‘One Of A Kind’ After Passing

Deaf actress Marlee Matlin made some interesting comments about her ex-partner.

On Sunday, March 13, Oscar-winning actor William Hurt passed away at the age of 71, surrounded by family. His son, Will Hurt, expressed a statement saying that his father died at home of natural causes.

The two had met on the set of 1986’s “Children of a Lesser God” and started dating when Matlin was only 19. He was 35.

In her 2009 memoir, “I’ll Scream Later,” the “CODA” actress alleged that she endured abuse throughout their relationship. In one specific chapter, she accused Hurt of raping her after coming home drunk at 4:30 AM.

The Daily Beast published excerpts from the book, including where she writes, “The next thing I knew he’d pulled me out of the bed, screaming at me, shaking me.”

“I was scared, I was sobbing. Then he threw me on the bed, started ripping off his clothes and mine,” she alleged. “I was crying. ’No, no, no. Please Bill, no.’ The next thing I remember is Bill ramming himself inside me as I sobbed.”

After the memoir was published, Hurt did not deny the allegations. Instead, he insisted that the two had already “apologized” to each other regarding the incident.

“My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives,” he said in a statement at the time. “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.”

On the Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet, a reporter asked Matlin about how she felt about his death.

“You’re the first person to ask me about him,” Matlin signed.

“We’ve lost a really great actor and working with him on set in ‘Children of a Lesser God’ will always be something I remember very fondly,” she continued. “He taught me a great deal as an actor and he was one-of-a-kind.”

After studying acting at Juilliard, Hurt became known for his award-winning role in 1985’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” He also earned nominations for “The Body Heat,” “Children of a Lesser God,” and “Broadcast News.”

In addition to starring in shows like FX’s “Damages” and Amazon’s “Goliath,” he also starred in “The King’s Daughter,” which was released in January 2022.

Other fans might recognize him for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross who appeared in 2009’s “The Incredible Hulk.” He was promoted to Secretary of State in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” He also made an appearance in 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame” – two of the highest-grossing films of all time. His last MCU appearance was in 2021’s “Black Widow.”

The “Zoolander” star posted a long, touching tribute to the late William Hurt, explaining that he grew up around Hurt, who helped to inspire his own film career.

He tweeted, “I’m very sad about the passing of William Hurt. A brilliant actor, who put everything into his work. I had a chance to spend time with when I was younger. My father worked with him in a play called Hurlyburly by David Rabe. They were both amazing in it.”

“The play was hit and ran for a couple of years on Broadway,” he continued. “Over that time Bill and my Dad became friendly. My sister and I were in our late teens and early twenties, both aspiring actors. He was at the height of his fame as a leading man, making smart, challenging mainstream movies.”

“He was so kind to my sister and I,” the “Night at the Museum” star recalled. “He spent time at our apartment, and came to visit my parents up in Nantucket. He would talk to us about acting, and the crest or process. He talked to us as if we were adults, not kids of his friend. He made a huge impact on both of us. He inspired us to be who we were and commit to the work. Mostly , he made us feel special and was kind.”

“I never saw him in the years after, except a couple of times. But I always held a place in my heart and have always been so grateful to have known him…” he concluded. “Watch his movies if you can and see a different kind of movie star, for whom the work was more important than status. He did great work. I hope he and Anne and Jerry are having a laugh somewhere now. #RIPWilliamHurt.”