Gary Oldman's son Gulliver has defended him against allegations of domestic abuse from his third ex-wife, Donya Fiorentino.

The British star, 59, who won the Best Actor Academy Award for Darkest Hour on Sunday, was recently shamed by his former wife, who labelled their four-year marriage 'a nightmare' and also claimed he 'beat her face with a telephone in front of their children'.

The former couple's son Gulliver, 20, has now penned an open letter defending his father - referencing the allegations against him as 'troubling and painful', while also labelling the actor as 'his hero' and 'the man he aspires to be.'

Open letter: Gary Oldman's son Gulliver, 20, (R) has defended him against allegations of domestic abuse from his third ex-wife, Donya Fiorentino

Donya, who was married to Gary from 1997-2001, wasn't too thrilled when he picked up the coveted golden accolade at the Oscars on Sunday evening.

Her disappointment, which she made clear in a tweet aimed at The Academy for 'awarding an abuser' comes after she spoke to DailyMail.com in February about her marital breakdown.

Gary Oldman has since called the 2001 claims against him by Fiorentino, 50, 'lies, innuendoes and half-truths.'

And now the the former pair's son Gulliver has come forth with an open letter, in which he began: 'It has been troubling and painful to see that these false allegations against my father being written about again, especially after this was all settled years ago...

'Custody of children is not given to a wife beater, and under most circumstances, hardly ever a man. My having lived, full time with my father should be in itself, proof enough.'

Claims: Gary was recently shamed by his former wife, who labelled their four-year marriage 'a nightmare' and also claimed he 'beat her face with a telephone in front of their children'

The truth: Their son Gulliver (second from R) has now penned an open letter defending dad Gary, 59 - referencing the domestic abuse allegations against him as 'troubling and painful

In Donya's legal filings in 2001, she claimed that Gary hit her in the face with a telephone receiver three or hour times, leaving her children in tears as they witnessed the turn of events.

Speaking of the moment, Gulliver revealed: 'I can see how coming out with a statement to combat an allegation must look.

'However, I was there at the time of the "incident," so I'd like to make this radiantly clear: it didn't happen. Anyone who says it did is lying...'

Clearly siding with his father in the intense parental situation, Gulliver continued: 'In the case of my father, there is only innocence. There never has been any guilt.'

His tone also suggested that he felt sorry for his mother: 'She has been a sad and very troubled person most of her life. Yes, she brought me into this world. She didn't however, teach me how to be a part of it.'

'Custody of children is not given to a wife beater': Gulliver clearly sided with his father in the intense parental situation, which he admitted should have been resolved 'years ago'

In comparison, Gulliver sang the praises of his dad, admitting: 'My Father is my one and true guiding light. My only hero. He is the man I aspire one day to become. If I could only become even half as great and half as pure.

'I was granted the good graces of his fatherhood as a child to be raised by him and only him. For that I am eternally grateful every hour of every day. I owe him the world and I owe him my life...

'I want only to protect my father's character, as a person and as an actor. I know he is a wonderfully kind man, gifted beyond belief, a man who wouldn't trade anything for the love and happiness of his family.'

In his final words, Gulliver continued: 'This torment should have ended 16 years ago. In such a momentous year for his career, my father should finally be able to enjoy himself. I hope that we can please make that a possibility.'

Gulliver's open letter comes after his mum Fiorentina revealed: ‘He stole my children and ruined my life,’ in an interview published on February 3, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

'She has been a sad and very troubled person most of her life': The tone of his open letter also suggested that he felt sorry for his mother

'I want to protect my father': Read Gulliver's full open letter in defence of his dad Gary

‘The truth needs to be told. I would like Gary to stand up and take responsibility for his actions. Will he? Who knows? He has always denied everything.’

Emboldened by the #MeToo movement, Fiorentino said, ‘He is a great actor. Was he a great husband? No.'

‘Our marriage was a giant car crash in which demented things happened. I lost my self-esteem, I was broken,' she added.

‘I’ve been empowered by hearing other women speak up. When a woman gets her voice back, she gets her power back.’

‘I want our sons and the world to know the truth. I would rather get eaten by a great white shark than go through that marriage again,' she said.

‘I have $20 in my purse. I’ve got nothing else he can take from me. I’m not speaking out to hurt Gary.

'Our marriage was a car crash': Emboldened by the #MeToo movement, Fiorentino said, ‘He is a great actor. Was he a great husband? No'

'In fact, I wish him well. He’s a brilliant actor and he fully deserves his Oscar. But when you are nominated for an Academy Award you have to be held to a higher standard.’

Fiorentino added: ‘The kids were held hostage in the war between us.

'I eventually ran out of money and was representing myself in court. Money, power and fame won. I will take blame, I played a big part in destroying my life and that is something I have to live with. I am sorry I was not the mother I should have been.

‘I don’t blame Gary for everything. But it takes two to destroy something. The perpetrators of domestic abuse have to live with it too.’

In legal documents filed in 2001, Ms Fiorentino said the actor spent thousands on alcohol and prostitutes during drug-fuelled weekends.

Oldman hit back by calling her a 'fantastist' who tore apart their marriage because she was addicted to pills and alcohol and an unfit mother.

Firing back: Oldman hit back by calling her Donya a 'fantastist' who tore apart their marriage because she was addicted to pills and alcohol and an unfit mother

The judge sided with Oldman and gave him custody of the couple's young sons.

Oldman has been married a total of five times and has three children.

The actor tied the knot with British actress Lesley Manville - who publicly congratulated him on his Oscar win - in 1987 but left her in 1989, three months after their son, Alfie, was born.

Oldman met Hollywood megastar Uma Thurman on the set of State of Grace, and they tied the knot in 1990, but the marriage ended just two years later.

After Fiorentino, his fourth wife came in the form of British singer and actress Alexandra Edenborough, who he married on New Year's Eve in 2008. His spouse filed for divorce in January 2015.

Oldman is currently married to writer and art curator Gisele Schmidt, who he tied the knot with in September 2017.