Christian Slater claims his father threatened to kill him and his mother when he was just three years old.
Christian Slater
The 'Mr. Robot' star has filed documents to get his dad Thomas Knight Slater's defamation lawsuit against him dismissed, and in his papers he claims his mom Mary Jo Slater told him the 80-year-old actor suffered from manic depressive schizophrenia and was taken to hospital in a straightjacket in 1972 after making threats to kill.
And he also states his mother told him Thomas pushed her in a busy street while she was pregnant with Christian.
To support his argument, the 'Heathers' star also included copies of rambling postcards he claims he got from his father, which tell Christian he would be nothing without his dad.
According to TMZ, one stated: "I take FULL CREDIT: I'm the vital ingredient.(sic)"
The 'True Romance' actor insists his father hasn't worked since 1988 due to his mental health issues.
Christian is being sued for $20 million by his father - whose stage name is Michael Hawkins - for comments he made last year saying his dad was suffering from manic-depressive schizophrenia.
In his legal action, the 'Amityville Horror' actor accuses ex-wife and their son of slander, libel, defamation of character, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and invasion of privacy, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress.
And Thomas also noted Christian - who had made the comments last July - didn't have the "medical credentials" to correctly diagnose him with any condition.
Speaking to director Lars Von Trier for Interview magazine, Christian discussed his estrangement from his father and said the elder actor had "always had trouble" working with other people.
He said: "He's a manic-depressive schizophrenic.
"He's always had trouble - he was a fantastic actor and extraordinarily charismatic and very, very good looking, but he had a really difficult time working with directors, collaborating with people."
Thomas has demanded a trial by jury.
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