Hurt Struggles With Hellish Childhood Memories

Movie star William Hurt finds it difficult to be shocked by disasters and tragedies he sees on TV because he grew up watching people die on his doorstep.

The Oscar-winning KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN star lived in poverty-stricken areas of Asia and Africa when he was a child and saw the worst aspects of life.

He explains, "I've people die on our doorstep in dust storms and of starvation. I was dragged in the streets by my father when I was eight-years-old because I was biting his leg. I was making him bleed because he wouldn't give more money to these beggars.

"One boy, in particular, had his leg slashed, so it would be amputated and he would be a better beggar. I saw a lot that Americans never see."