Olivier Martinez Allegedly Files Temporary Restraining Order Accusing Halle Berry of Choking Their Son

Olivier Martinez has asked a court for a temporary restraining order against ex-wife Halle Berry, alleging she choked their 12-year-old son, Maceo, on 26 September, Page Six reported on Thursday.

The former couple have been disputing their son's care following their divorce. Berry denied the choking allegation through her lawyer, who called Martinez's filing 'entirely meritless and deliberately misleading'.

Restraining Order Request Describes Alleged Choking

Martinez claimed the argument began when Berry criticised Maceo for playing a game with virtual reality goggles, telling him he looked 'stupid' and was 'such an idiot'. He alleged that Berry's fiancé, Van Hunt, was present.

'The situation escalated and Petitioner jumped on our son and started physically fighting with him,' Martinez alleged in the court documents.

He claimed Berry grabbed Maceo's neck and choked him while shouting, 'Who is dominant now?! Who is dominant?!' According to his account, the boy then called him in a panic to ask to be collected and did not want to return to his mother's home.

Martinez also alleged that Berry had wrestled Maceo to the ground and forced him to 'tap out' repeatedly over the previous year and a half.

The filing further accused her of making racially charged remarks about Martinez to their son during a 2023 child support dispute. He also raised concerns about her mental health and alleged alcohol abuse, which he claimed had contributed to her conduct.

Halle Berry's Lawyer Rejects Abuse Claims

Marina Beck, Berry's attorney, said Martinez had repeatedly violated court orders and interfered with therapeutic and educational interventions for Maceo. In a statement to Page Six on Thursday, she said there was extensive evidence supporting that account, including judicial rulings.

Beck said Martinez had already been legally sanctioned for his conduct. She also accused him of having a documented history of erratic, possessive and violent behaviour. Those were allegations made in Berry's response to his filing.

'Halle is used to this kind of outrageous conduct from Mr. Martinez and, while she is deeply saddened, she will not allow it to deter her from fighting for Maceo's best interests and providing him with the love and support he needs,' Beck said.

Custody Dispute Follows Eight Years of Divorce

Berry and Martinez, both 60, separated in October 2015 after two years of marriage. Their divorce took eight years to finalise.

In a September 2024 court filing, Berry said she had tried to involve Martinez in decisions concerning Maceo and accused him of refusing to communicate in a way that put their child first.

'I have done everything possible to work with Olivier, to communicate with him, and to engage him in the decision-making process regarding our son in an amicable way,' she wrote. She also described Martinez as 'oppositional and unmovable on all major issues relating to Maceo' in the same court documents.

Martinez is now seeking sole custody of Maceo alongside restraining orders for himself and his son. The report did not state whether a court had ruled on those requests.

Berry's lawyer said the actress would continue providing Maceo with love and support, maintaining that her focus remained on his best interests while rejecting the allegations made in Martinez's filing.