VISTA, Calif. -- A woman who said she was repeatedly stabbed by a Hollywood actor revealed how neighbors helped her escape the attack insider her San Marcos home.

Shelley Malil, known for small roles on TV and in movies like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," is accused of trying to kill his on-again, off-again girlfriend Kendra Beebe. The 45-year-old is charged with premeditated attempted murder in the Aug. 10, 2008, attack on Beebe, whose two children were in bed at the time of the attack.

Malil -- who also is charged with burglary and assault with a deadly weapon --- could face life in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

On Tuesday, Beebe fought through tears as she told the court about the night Malil allegedly came at her with a steak knife.

Authorities said Beebe was stabbed or slashed 23 times that night, and she said still has pain, both physical and emotional.

Beebe told the court she was talking with a friend over glasses of wine in her backyard patio that night.

"I looked up and saw Shelley ... and felt this primal animal fear," said Beebe.

She and Malil had recently broken off a stormy relationship, and she said he had a crazy look on his face, saying, "Kendra, Kendra, Kendra," as he approached.

"He had his hand behind his back, came up … I thought he's going to hug me. Then I thought, 'Oh, no, he's going to hit me.' Then I saw this flash of silver … bang, bang, bang …," said Beebe.

When describing how she felt, Beebe said, "It's like cutting you. I mean, it hurts. The pain, it hurts. And then he did it again … you're bleeding, you're scared."

Beebe's friend, David Maldonado, jumped up and wrestled the knife away and was able to throw it over a fence.

"I was holding my side ... he got me bad," Beebe said. "They started fighting. I thought, 'How am I gonna live? I can't fight.' The only thing I have left to survive is my voice. I can be loud … I said, 'Chuck, Ali, call 911! He's killing me!'"

After Maldonado ran for his cell phone, Beebe said Malil got another larger knife and chased her through the house

"Then Shelley stabbed me again. I said, 'You got me, man. You won.' That really hurt," said Beebe.

Severely injured, Beebe tried to get away but said Malil continued toward her.

"Shelley goes, 'Oh, I can fix it.' [He] put my chin back and he tried to suffocate me. I couldn't breathe," said Beebe.

Neighbor Chuck Lee came running and separated the two.

"I was like, 'Chuck, hold me together.' I can feel my skin was open. I can feel I was bleeding everywhere … 'hold me together so I can get help.' I was thinking about my kids. I didn't want to die," said Beebe.

Pulled off again by a neighbor, Beebe said Malil left the scene.

She was rushed to the hospital and told a doctor, "I don't want to go to sleep, doc. I don't want to die. Pray with me, pray with me."

Beebe will be back on the witness stand Wednesday for cross-examination.

Malil's defense attorney said his client was acting in self-defense.