Who Is Matthew Prokop? Meet 'Modern Family' Star Sarah Hyland’s Allegedly Abusive Ex-Boyfriend

After nearly five years together, "Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland separated from fellow actor Matthew Prokop last month, a relationship that new court documents show ended after several instances of abuse. TMZ reports that Hyland, 23, was recently granted a temporary restraining order against Prokop, 24, after he allegedly abused her prior to their recent separation and harassed her post-split.

In the documents, Hyland asserts that Prokop verbally and physically abused her over the last four years. The situation came to a head in May when the actor “choked” and “pinned” Hyland against a car while calling her a "c**t" during an altercation over her choice of wardrobe, she said. “His grip was so tight that I could not breathe or speak,” Hyland says in the court documents. “I was scared and in fear for my life.” Following the incident, Hyland reported having suffered injuries to her throat.

The actress, whose split from Prokop was confirmed last month, called on her TV mom, actress Julie Bowen, to help “peacefully” end the relationship, TMZ is reporting. Despite her best attempts, Prokop reportedly “ran outside” and “began screaming” after seeing Bowen, 44. During the altercation, Hyland says he threw a lighter at her before Bowen advised her to leave the premises. Post-split, Hyland claims Prokop has continued to harass her by sending “vile, threatening and emotionally disturbing texts and voice mails,” including suicide threats. Prokop, who moved in with her in 2010, allegedly told her he would set one of her homes on fire and that she would “never see her dog again.” The couple adopted a dog together, a maltipoo named Barkley Bixby, in 2010.

Prokop was reportedly treated at a rehab facility in August but was released Sunday. The director of the rehab facility is said to have advised Hyland to file a restraining order, citing his “mental state” and continued “attitude against her.” Prokop is now ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from the actress, and her dog, at all times.

So just who is Matt Prokop? Despite being linked to Hyland of the Emmy-award winning ABC series “Modern Family” for nearly half a decade, he isn’t a household name. Prokop, a Victoria, Texas, native, reportedly met Hyland during an audition for the third installment of Disney’s “High School Musical” franchise in 2008. During their courtship, the couple starred alongside one another in several features including the 2011 films “Geek Charming” and “Conception.” Prokop also played Hyland’s Disneyland date Ethan in one 2012 episode of “Modern Family." The couple last co-starred in the horror/comedy/romance film “April Apocalypse" in 2013.

Hyland has yet to publicly comment on the incident. Prokop has remained silent on social media since Aug. 17.