Halle Berry denies abusing son amid custody battle

Actress submits video evidence to counter ex Olivier Martinez

Halle Berry has denied allegations that she physically abused her 13 year old son, Maceo, amid a custody dispute with her former husband Olivier Martinez.

In a declaration filed on October 5 and obtained by PEOPLE, Berry said she has never physically, emotionally or otherwise abused Maceo. The actor also referred to her own history as a victim of domestic violence, stating that she would never hurt their child.

The dispute centres on an incident on September 26, when Maceo was 12. Martinez alleged in a court filing that Berry became angry while their son was playing a virtual reality game and physically restrained him, including placing him in a headlock.

Berry has rejected that account. She told the court she entered Maceo's room to tell him to stop gaming and began recording him. According to her declaration, Maceo noticed the phone, grabbed it and the pair began playfully roughhousing, which she described as something they frequently do.

Berry denied putting her hands around her son's neck, choking him, restricting his breathing or restraining him. She also submitted video evidence and text messages that she said directly contradict Martinez's description of what happened.

Berry said the situation later escalated when Maceo became upset and allegedly pushed her. Her fiancé, Van Hunt, intervened after Maceo pushed her again when she attempted to take his headset.

Martinez filed for sole custody last week, after which he was granted a temporary restraining order modifying the former couple's custody arrangement. Berry has asked the court to restore their 50/50 custody agreement, which was established in August 2023 when their divorce was finalised.

Berry also disputed Martinez's request for primary custody, arguing that he is unable to provide appropriate child centred guidance. She cited concerns involving Maceo's behaviour and his need for professional support.

The former couple has previously disagreed over Maceo's care. Berry sought court ordered co parenting therapy in 2024, but her request was denied.

Halle Berry began her career as a model and beauty contestant, becoming Miss Ohio USA in 1986, finishing as first runner-up at Miss USA 1986, and placing sixth at Miss World 1986. Her early film roles include Boomerang (1992), The Flintstones (1994) and Bulworth (1998). She produced and starred in the television film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of a struggling widow in the romantic drama Monster's Ball (2001). She played Storm in the X-Men film series (2000–2014), a villain in Swordfish (2001), the Bond girl Jinx in Die Another Day (2002), a psychiatrist in Gothika (2003), and Catwoman in Catwoman (2004). She also appeared in Perfect Stranger (2007), Cloud Atlas (2012) and The Call (2013), Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019).

Berry produced the television film Lackawanna Blues (2005), and subsequently produced several projects in which she also performed, including the film Frankie & Alice (2010) and the CBS science fiction series Extant (2014–2015). In 2014, Berry launched the production company 606 Films. In 2020, she made her directorial debut with the Netflix drama Bruised. She has been a Revlon spokesmodel since 1996.

The allegations remain disputed, and no finding that Berry abused Maceo has been established.