Hurt responds to Matlin's abuse claims

LOS ANGELES, April 14 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor William Hurt has issued an apology in response to abuse claims his ex-girlfriend Marlee Matlin made against him this week.

Matlin dated her co-star in 1987's "Children of a Lesser God" for about two years.

She discussed the past relationship on "Access Hollywood" when she was promoting her new memoir, "I'll Scream Later," Monday.

"I always had fresh bruises every day. And if I had a split lip, or if. ... I mean, there were a lot of things that happened that were not pleasant," Matlin told the entertainment news program. "I was always afraid ... of him, but I loved him. Or maybe I thought I did. But look, I was 19, he was 35."

The now 43-year-old actress went on to recall how on the night she won her Oscar for "Children," Hurt flung her on a bed and ripped her clothes off as she pleaded: "No, no, no. Please, Bill, no."

Hurt issued a statement to E! News Tuesday, addressing Matlin's remarks.

"My own recollection is that we both apologized and both did a great deal to heal our lives," Hurt said. "Of course, I did and do apologize for any pain I caused. And I know we have both grown. I wish Marlee and her family nothing but good."