'I'm humiliated for myself and my family': Hobbit actor Manu Bennett breaks silence over arrest for assault at a Comic Con after party and admits 'I was drunk'

Actor Manu Bennett, who played the character Azog in the Hobbit trilogy, has addressed his arrest for assault last week at Alamo City Comic Con in Texas.

The 45-year-old New-Zealand born actor spoke of the incident to a panel at Rose City Comic Con on Monday, saying that: 'I'm humiliated for myself, for my family, and as a representative of Maori culture.

'I'm not going to hide about something that happened last week in Texas,' Bennett said, adding: 'I'm a human being, I was out at night, drunk.'

Apologetic: Actor Manu Bennett, 45, who played the character Azog in the Hobbit trilogy, has addressed news of his arrest for assault which took place last week at Alamo City Comic Con in Texas

Apologetic: Actor Manu Bennett, 45, who played the character Azog in the Hobbit trilogy, has addressed news of his arrest for assault which took place last week at Alamo City Comic Con in Texas

At the time of the incident, he was appearing at the Alamo City convention, popular with fantasy and comic book fans, as a celebrity guest known for his work in the PeterJackson-directed Hobbit films.  

The alleged altercation took place on 14 September during a Comic Con after party, and involved a 29-year-old male who has been cited as the victim. 

It is believed that the incident occurred the Grand Hyatt hotel in San Antonio. 

Controversial: The alleged altercation took place on 14 September during a Comic Con after party, and involved a 29-year-old male who has been cited as the victim

Controversial: The alleged altercation took place on 14 September during a Comic Con after party, and involved a 29-year-old male who has been cited as the victim

Charged with a misdemeanour, Manu was later released after a bond of $1,600 was posted.

According to Bexar County Central Magistrate office records, the actor was arrested around 6am and released just after noon. 

It was reported by The Newcastle Herald that the the man allegedly attacked by Manu had made remarks about Karin Horen, the mother of the actor's three children, and her battle with cancer. 

More details emerge: It was reported by The Newcastle Herald that the the man allegedly attacked by Manu had made remarks about Karin Horen, the mother of the actor's three children, and her battle with cancer

More details emerge: It was reported by The Newcastle Herald that the the man allegedly attacked by Manu had made remarks about Karin Horen, the mother of the actor's three children, and her battle with cancer

Underbelly actor Matt Nable claimed to have witnessed the incident, telling the Herald that '[Bennett] was very, very offended about what the man had said to him.' 

'What he did was out of character but he was obviously very offended by it,' added Matt, referring to the alleged insult thrown at Manu before the altercation.  

Bennett  appeared as a gladiator in the TV series Spartacus and played characters in Arrow and the MTV miniseries The Shannara Chronicles. 

The successful actor has also appeared in the long-running New Zealand drama Shortland Street, as well as Australian series Water Rats.

Talented showman: Bennett appeared as a gladiator in the TV series Spartacus and played characters in Arrow and the MTV miniseries The Shannara Chronicles

Talented showman: Bennett appeared as a gladiator in the TV series Spartacus and played characters in Arrow and the MTV miniseries The Shannara Chronicles

Memorable role: Manu is known for his iconic portrayal of Azog in the Hobbit trilogy

Memorable role: Manu is known for his iconic portrayal of Azog in the Hobbit trilogy

 

 

 


 

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