Two former One Life to Live actors are finding themselves in legal hot water at the same time. Both Jessica Morris (ex-Jennifer Rappaport) and Ryan Phillippe (ex-Billy Douglas) are facing assault charges, though their two cases are separate.
Phillippe has made headlines recently for an alleged altercation that happened with his ex-girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, back in 2017. She is suing the actor for $1 million in damages, claiming that he hit, kicked, and punched her, as well as alleging he picked her up "like a doll" and "threw [her] down a flight of stairs" during an incident that happened on the Fourth of July of that year.
The case is set to go to trial on October 15, with Phillippe vehemently denying any wrongdoing. Court documents obtained by ET show that the actor plans to claim he was defending himself against Hewitt during the Fourth of July incident, stating that she was inebriated and tried to attack him in a jealous fit over another woman being in his bed.
Phillippe first publicly denied the abuse charges Hewitt brought against him back in September of 2017.
"I am saddened and disgusted by the false allegations being circulated about me," he wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. "At the time these allegations were initially made, I fully cooperated with law enforcement and a thorough investigation was conducted. As a man, raised by women, in a household where women's rights, feminism and advocacy were very much at the forefront, I am sickened that my name can be found in any article where domestic violence of any kind is being alleged."
He continued, "I have been a public figure for almost 25 years and many untrue things have been said or written about me in the past. That is something you learn to accept if you choose a profession like mine. This time is different. Domestic violence is a very real and tragic issue faced by many women the world over and should never be used to vengefully slander or as a ploy for monetary gain. This is wrong. This is not who I am. Every one of my accuser's allegations are false."
Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon, who was married to Phillippe from 1999 to 2007, is set to testify at the actor's upcoming hearing. The couple shares two kids together -- 20-year-old daughter Ava and 15-year-old son Deacon.
In a separate case, Jessica Morris is facing felony domestic violence charges after a May incident in which she allegedly attacked her boyfriend, Rib Hillis (ex-Dr. Jake Marshak, General Hospital and Port Charles). TMZ reports that Morris turned herself in after the attack, which allegedly included a moment in which she nearly bit off Hillis' lip -- a gruesome injury that required 25 stitches. In a twist that feels like it could have come out of a soap opera, Hillis is a married man. His wife is Elena Grinenko, one of the pro dancers on Dancing with the Stars.
Hillis claims he had no say in the matter, but if it were up to him he "just wants everyone to heal and get on with their lives." He says that he hasn't spoken to Morris since that night but hopes "she gets the help she needs."
Morris' attorney, Anthony Salerno, tells TMZ that she is declining to make a public comment on the case, but he adds, "This situation is difficult for everyone involved, and is complicated."
Phillippe starred on OLTL from 1992 to 1993, while Morris starred on the ABC soap opera from 2001 to 2005 and again in 2008.
Keep checking back to Soap Central for major updates on Phillippe and Morris' assault cases as they happen.
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