Marlee Matlin

Matlin was born in Morton Grove, Illinois, on August 24, 1965, to Libby (née Hammer; 1930–2020)[https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/libby-matlin-obituary?id=30324662 Libby Matlin obituary, Chicago Tribune] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010614/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/libby-matlin-obituary?id=30324662 |date=February 23, 2022 }} accessed 2-22-22 and Donald Matlin (1930–2013), who was an automobile dealer.{{cite web|date=April 14, 2009|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DancingStars/story?id=7324917&page=4|title=Inside Actress Marlee Matlin's Silent World|work=Good Morning America|publisher=ABC|at=p. 4|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=July 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075252/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DancingStars/story?id=7324917&page=4|url-status=live}} Matlin lost all hearing in her right ear and 80% of the hearing in her left ear at the age of 18 months due to illness and fevers. In her autobiography I'll Scream Later, she suggests that her hearing loss may have been due to a genetically malformed cochlea.{{cite book|last1=Matlin|first1=Marlee|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_soaGRKGBwAC&q=genetically+malformed&pg=PT14|title=I'll Scream Later|date=2009|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9781439117637|pages=21–22|language=en|access-date=October 19, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319160928/https://books.google.com/books?id=_soaGRKGBwAC&q=genetically+malformed&pg=PT14|url-status=live}} She is the only member of her family who is deaf. She has a sense of humor about her deafness: "Often I'm talking to people through my speakerphone, and after 10 minutes or so they say, 'Wait a minute, Marlee, how can you hear me?' They forget I have an interpreter there who is signing to me as they talk. So I say, 'You know what? I can hear on Wednesdays.{{' "}}{{cite web|last=Sterman|first=Paul|title=Marlee Matlin - An Interview|work=ABILITY Magazine|url=https://abilitymagazine.com/marlee-matlin-an-interview/|date=July 2006|access-date=October 25, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025212943/https://abilitymagazine.com/marlee-matlin-an-interview/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Helling|first1=Steve|date=October 14, 2016|title=Marlee Matlin Addresses Reports that Donald Trump Called Her 'Retarded': 'The Term is Abhorrent'|work=People|url=http://people.com/politics/marlee-matlin-speaks-out-about-reports-that-donald-trump-called-her-retarded/|access-date=October 15, 2016|archive-date=April 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414184306/https://people.com/politics/marlee-matlin-speaks-out-about-reports-that-donald-trump-called-her-retarded/|url-status=live}}

Matlin and her two older brothers, Eric and Marc, grew up in a Reform Jewish household. Her family roots are in Poland and Russia.Schleier, Curt, [https://jweekly.com/2007/01/19/no-challenge-goes-unmet-for-deaf-actress-marlee-matlin/ "No challenge goes unmet for Deaf actress Marlee Matlin"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103150153/https://jweekly.com/2007/01/19/no-challenge-goes-unmet-for-deaf-actress-marlee-matlin/ |date=November 3, 2022 }}, Jewish News Weekly, January 19, 2007.{{cite book|last1=Matlin|first1=Marlee|title=I'll Scream Later|date=2009|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=9781439117637|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_soaGRKGBwAC&q=%22It+all+began+for+me+on+August+24,+1965%22&pg=PT14|language=en|access-date=October 19, 2020|archive-date=March 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319160917/https://books.google.com/books?id=_soaGRKGBwAC&q=%22It+all+began+for+me+on+August+24,+1965%22&pg=PT14|url-status=live}} Matlin attended a synagogue for the Deaf (Congregation Bene Shalom), and after studying Hebrew phonetically, was able to learn her Torah portion for her Bat Mitzvah.{{Cite web |last=Zaltzman |first=Lior |date=2025-01-14 |title=The Story of Oscar Winner Marlee Matlin's Bat Mitzvah Is Just So Moving |url=https://www.kveller.com/the-story-of-oscar-winner-marlee-matlins-bat-mitzvah-is-just-so-moving/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Kveller |language=en}} She was later interviewed for the book Mazel Tov: Celebrities' Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories.[https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743287878 "Mazel Tov: Celebrities' Bar and Bat Mitzvah Memories"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217045843/https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743287878 |date=December 17, 2019 }}, Amazon.com. Retrieved February 7, 2018. She graduated from John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights and attended Harper College in Palatine, Illinois.Heidemann, Jason A. [https://www.timeout.com/chicago/article/over-out/23057/vital-signs "Vital signs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013044809/http://www.timeout.com/chicago/article/over-out/23057/vital-signs|date=October 13, 2007}}. Time Out Chicago, October 4, 2007. She had planned a career in criminal justice.{{cite book |last1=Lang |first1=Harry |last2=Meath-Lang |first2=Bonnie |title=Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences |url=https://archive.org/details/deafpersonsinart00lang |url-access=registration |date=1995 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, Connecticut |pages=[https://archive.org/details/deafpersonsinart00lang/page/244 244–247]|isbn=9780313291708 }} In her autobiography, Matlin described two instances in which she was molested: by a babysitter at age 11, and by a teacher in high school.{{cite book|last=Matlin|first=Marlee|title=I'll Scream Later|date=2010|publisher=Gallery Books|isbn=978-1439171516|edition=First|location=London, England|pages=56–61}}

File:Actress Marlee Matlin at Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona, 1989. Photo by Ithaka Darin Pappas.jpg

Matlin made her stage debut at the age of seven, as Dorothy in an International Center on Deafness and the Arts (ICODA) children's theatre production of The Wizard of Oz,{{cite web|url=http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2006/08/a_gateway_to_ar.html|title=A gateway to arts for the deaf|publisher=4hearingloss.com|date=August 18, 2006|access-date=November 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902085100/http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2006/08/a_gateway_to_ar.html|archive-date = September 2, 2006}} and continued to appear with the ICODA children's theatre group throughout her childhood.{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20094814,00.html|title=Deaf Actress Marlee Matlin Broke the Sound Barrier with New Love and Lesser God Co-Star Bill Hurt|last=Stark|first=John|date=October 20, 1986|work=People|access-date=December 18, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006140152/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20094814,00.html|archive-date=October 6, 2014}} At the age of thirteen, she won second prize in the Chicago Center's Annual International Creative Arts Festival for an essay titled, "If I Was not a Movie Star."

She was discovered by Henry Winkler during one of her ICODA theater performances, which ultimately led to her film debut in Children of a Lesser God (1986).{{cite web|url=http://www.greatertalent.com/matlinwinkler/|title=Why Marlee Matlin and Henry Winkler are captivating audiences|publisher=Greater Talent|access-date=12 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222125057/http://www.greatertalent.com/matlinwinkler/|archive-date=December 22, 2015}} The film received generally positive reviews and Matlin's performance as Sarah Norman, a reluctant-to-speak deaf woman who falls for a hearing man, drew high praise: Richard Schickel of Time magazine wrote: "[Matlin] has an unusual talent for concentrating her emotions -- and an audience's -- in her signing. But there is something more here, an ironic intelligence, a fierce but not distancing wit, that the movies, with their famous ability to photograph thought, discover in very few performances."{{cite magazine|last=Schickel |first=Richard |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1075235,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220090129/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1075235,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 20, 2008 |title=Miracle Worker: CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD |magazine=Time Magazine |date=June 21, 2005 |access-date=2012-12-27}} Subscription required. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times was also impressed with Matlin, writing, "She holds her own against the powerhouse she's acting with, carrying scenes with a passion and almost painful fear of being rejected and hurt, which is really what her rebellion is about,"{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=October 3, 1986 |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19861003%2FREVIEWS%2F610030301 |title=Children Of A Lesser God |work=Chicago Sun Times |access-date=2012-12-27 |archive-date=February 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212075617/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19861003%2FREVIEWS%2F610030301 |url-status=dead }} and Paul Attasanio of The Washington Post said, "The most obvious challenge of the role is to communicate without speaking, but Matlin rises to it in the same way the stars of the silent era did -- she acts with her eyes, her gestures."{{cite news |last=Attasanio |first=Paul |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/childrenofalessergodrattanasio_a0ad57.htm |title=Children of a Lesser God |newspaper=Washington Post |date=October 3, 1986 |access-date=2012-12-27 |archive-date=September 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925042428/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/childrenofalessergodrattanasio_a0ad57.htm |url-status=live }} Children of a Lesser God brought her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama and an Academy Award for Best Actress. Only 21 years old at the time, Matlin remains the youngest actress to receive the Oscar in the Best Actress category. She was the only Deaf nominee and recipient in any category for 36 years until 2022, when deaf actor and filmmaker Troy Kotsur won for Best Supporting Actor for his role in CODA, in which Matlin also played a supporting role.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-28 |title=Deaf actor Kotsur wins Oscar for supporting role in 'CODA' |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-best-supporting-actor-winner-4baeddf081e70ca0db414c4a50c4fbe7 |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328022209/https://apnews.com/article/2022-best-supporting-actor-winner-4baeddf081e70ca0db414c4a50c4fbe7 |url-status=live }}{{external media

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| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxLC0_qTYVw Ted Koppel speaks with Gregory Hlibok, Elizabeth Zinser and Marlee Matlin on ABC's Nightline on March 9, 1988], Youtube video

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Two years later, she made a guest appearance on Sesame Street with Billy Joel performing a revised version of "Just the Way You Are" with lyrics by Tony Geiss.{{cite web |url=https://www.billyjoel.com/news/throwback-sesame-street-billy-joel-and-marlee-matlin-sing-just-way-you-are/ |title=Throwback: Sesame Street: Billy Joel And Marlee Matlin Sing Just The Way You Are |date=16 November 2009 |website=billyjoel.com |access-date=14 October 2019 |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014123337/https://www.billyjoel.com/news/throwback-sesame-street-billy-joel-and-marlee-matlin-sing-just-way-you-are/ |url-status=live }} Matlin used sign language during the song and hugged Oscar the Grouch during the song's conclusion. One year after that, Billy Joel invited her to perform in his video for "We Didn't Start the Fire".{{cite web|url=https://www.billyjoel.com/news/girl-video-we-didnt-start-fire-marc-tyler-nobleman/|title=The Girl in the Video: 'We Didn't Start The Fire'|website=Billyjoel.com|author=Tyler, Marc|date=July 29, 2014|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325174625/https://www.billyjoel.com/news/girl-video-we-didnt-start-fire-marc-tyler-nobleman/|url-status=live}} In 1989, Matlin portrayed a deaf widow in the television movie Bridge to Silence. In that role, she spoke in addition to using sign language. People magazine did not like the film, but praised Matlin's work, writing, "the beautiful, emotionally moving Matlin is too good for this well-intentioned but sentimental slop."{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-a-bridge-to-silence-vol-31-no-14/. |title=John Stark. Picks and Pans Review: A Bridge to Silence. People magazine. April 9, 1989. |work=Peoplemag |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216210945/https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-a-bridge-to-silence-vol-31-no-14/ |url-status=live }} Matlin attended the 1988 Oscars to present the Academy Award for Best Actor. After signing her introduction in ASL, she spoke aloud the names of the nominees and of Michael Douglas, the winner.

File:Marlee Matlin 1999.jpg

Matlin was nominated for a Golden Globe for her work as the lead female role in the television series Reasonable Doubts (1991–1993). Matlin was nominated for an Emmy Award for a guest appearance in Picket Fences (1992) and became a regular on that series during its final season (1996). She played Carrie Buck in the 1994 television drama Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story, based on the 1927 United States Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell 274 U.S. 200. In that role, Matlin portrayed a hearing woman for the first time in her career, which earned her a CableACE nomination for Best Actress.{{IMDb title|109051|Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story (1994)}} She had a prominent supporting role in the drama It's My Party (1996). She later had recurring roles in The West Wing, and Blue's Clues. Other television appearances include Seinfeld ("The Lip Reader"), The Outer Limits ("The Message"), ER, The Practice, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for her guest appearances in Seinfeld, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Practice.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/marlee-matlin/credits/164739/|title=Marlee Matlin|website=TVGuide.com|publisher=TV Guide|access-date=12 June 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115190605/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/marlee-matlin/credits/164739/|url-status=live}}

In 2004, she hosted the 3rd Annual Festival for Cinema of the Deaf in Chicago.{{cite web|url=https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/festival-for-cinema-of-the-deaf/|title=Festival for Cinema of the Deaf|website=Chicago Reader|date=October 14, 2004|access-date=March 13, 2022|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313160808/https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/festival-for-cinema-of-the-deaf/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cimi.ws/four/index.shtml |title=Chicago Institute for the Moving Image |access-date=March 13, 2022 |archive-date=September 14, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040914020237/http://www.cimi.ws/four/index.shtml |url-status=bot: unknown }} That same year, she also starred in the movie What the Bleep Do We Know!? as Amanda. In 2006, she played a deaf parent in Desperate Housewives. She had a recurring role in My Name Is Earl as public defender for Joy Turner (who made many jokes about Matlin's deafness at Matlin's expense), and played the mother of one of the victims in an episode of CSI: NY. That same year, Matlin was cast in season 4 of The L Word as Jodi Lerner, a lesbian sculptor and girlfriend of one of the show's protagonists, Bette Porter, played by Jennifer Beals.

On February 4, 2007, and February 7, 2016, Matlin interpreted the "Star Spangled Banner" in American Sign Language at Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida, and at Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California, respectively. In January 2008, she appeared on Nip/Tuck as a television executive. In 2008, Matlin participated as a competitor in the sixth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Her dance partner was newcomer Fabian Sanchez. Matlin and Sanchez were the sixth couple eliminated from the competition.{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20423845,00.html|title=Marlee Matlin Signs Off from Dancing|work=People|date=April 23, 2008|access-date=December 18, 2011|archive-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429070252/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20423845,00.html|url-status=dead}}

On May 6, 2009, Matlin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[http://www.laindependent.com/news/44496947.html "Marlee Matlin receives Walk of Fame star"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930060422/http://www.laindependent.com/news/44496947.html|date=September 30, 2011}}, The Los Angeles Independent, May 6, 2009. On November 8, 2009, Matlin appeared on Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show, hosted by Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein. After Borstein imitated Matlin calling MovieFone and singing "Poker Face," Matlin herself appeared and launched into a comical tirade against Borstein over being made fun of, and how she was not invited to provide her own voice for Family Guy. Matlin went on to voice Stella, Peter Griffin's coworker, in the Season 10 episode "The Blind Side;" Stella later became a recurring character.

File:Matlin at 2014 AHA Hero Dog Awards.JPG]]In 2010, Matlin produced a pilot for a reality show she titled My Deaf Family, which she presented to various national network executives. Although they expressed interest, no network purchased rights to the show. On March 29, 2010, Matlin uploaded the pilot to YouTube and launched a viral marketing campaign.{{cite web|url=http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/31/marlee-matlin-launches-my-deaf-family-on-youtube|title=Marlee Matlin Launches My Deaf Family on YouTube|publisher=Insidetv.aol.com|date=March 31, 2010|access-date=October 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405230910/http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/03/31/marlee-matlin-launches-my-deaf-family-on-youtube/|archive-date=April 5, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Matlin played the recurring character of Melody Bledsoe on Switched at Birth. In 2013, Matlin played herself in No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie. In September 2015, she made her Broadway debut in the revival production of the musical Spring Awakening.{{Cite web |last1=Gioia |first1=Michael |last2=Viagas |first2=Robert |date=July 21, 2015 |title=Children of a Lesser God Oscar Winner Marlee Matlin Will Make Broadway Debut in Spring Awakening |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/children-of-a-lesser-god-oscar-winner-marlee-matlin-will-make-broadway-debut-in-spring-awakening-353669 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325174623/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/children-of-a-lesser-god-oscar-winner-marlee-matlin-will-make-broadway-debut-in-spring-awakening-353669 |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=November 8, 2015 |website=Playbill}}

Beginning in 2017, Matlin played the recurring role of Harriet on the Syfy television series, The Magicians.{{cite magazine|last=Serrao|first=Nivea|date=February 9, 2017|title=Marlee Matlin to cast her spell on The Magicians|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/09/the-magicians-marlee-matlin|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113150147/http://ew.com/tv/2017/02/09/the-magicians-marlee-matlin/|url-status=live}} On July 31, 2017, it was announced by Deadline that Matlin joined as a series regular in the third season of the ABC thriller Quantico. She starred in the role of ex-FBI agent Jocelyn Turner.{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2017/07/quantico-marlee-matlin-cast-season-3-abc-series-1202139672|title='Quantico': Marlee Matlin Cast in Season 3 of ABC Series|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=July 31, 2017|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 7, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806141554/http://deadline.com/2017/07/quantico-marlee-matlin-cast-season-3-abc-series-1202139672/|url-status=dead}} In 2019, Matlin was mentioned in an article by Hearing Like Me{{Cite web|author=|date=2019-07-04|title=Marlee Matlin to star in Disney's 'Life and Deaf'|url=https://www.hearinglikeme.com/marlee-matlin-to-star-in-disney-life-and-deaf/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Hearing Like Me|language=en-US|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918080511/https://www.hearinglikeme.com/marlee-matlin-to-star-in-disney-life-and-deaf/|url-status=live}} as somebody that could bring more #DeafTalent to "Life and Deaf," a new comedy show set in the 1970s that aims to explore the life of a kid with deaf parents. This show was to be executive produced by Marlee Matlin according to Deadline.{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2019-07-03|title=Marlee Matlin To Star In Comedy 'Life And Deaf' Eyed by Disney+ From Lizzy Weiss, Patricia Heaton & CBS TV Studios|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/marlee-matlin-star-disney-plus-comedy-life-and-deaf-lizzy-weiss-patricia-heaton-cbs-tv-studios-1202641439/|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=July 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704151751/https://deadline.com/2019/07/marlee-matlin-star-disney-plus-comedy-life-and-deaf-lizzy-weiss-patricia-heaton-cbs-tv-studios-1202641439/|url-status=live}}

In 2021, Matlin appeared in CODA, an American comedy-drama film that follows a hearing teenage girl who is a child of deaf adults (CODA for short). The film stars Emilia Jones as the hearing girl, with Matlin and Troy Kotsur as her culturally deaf parents and Daniel Durant as her deaf brother; the role won her the SAG Award for Best Ensemble.{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=2021-11-24|title=SAG Awards Changes Venue as Show Returns to In-Person Event in 2022|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/awards/sag-awards-2022-in-person-santa-monica-1235115375/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=January 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126214540/https://variety.com/2021/tv/awards/sag-awards-2022-in-person-santa-monica-1235115375/|url-status=live}} In 2025, Matlin appeared in Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore a documentary revolving around her life and career, directed by Shoshannah Stern,{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Alissa |date=2025-06-20 |title=In a New Documentary, the Deaf Actress Marlee Matlin Talks About Prejudice |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/movies/marlee-matlin-not-alone-anymore-documentary.html |access-date=2025-06-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} which had world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/sundance-film-festival-lineup-2025-movies-1236200107/|title=Sundance 2025: JLo, Sly Stone, Putin, Ayo Edebiri, André Holland, & Ex-NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Films Among Park City Festival Offerings|website=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Anthony|last1=D'Alessandro|first2=Dominic|last2=Patten|date=December 11, 2024|access-date=December 12, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/marlee-matlin-biodoc-production-pbs-1236121186/|title=PBS' 'American Masters' Sets Documentary on Marlee Matlin's Life With ASL as Primary Language (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Diego|last=Ramos Bechara|date=August 28, 2024|access-date=December 13, 2024}}

File:Marlee Matlin at Maiersdorf Conference Center in Israel June 2017.jpg in 2017]]

Matlin is actively involved with charitable organizations such as Easter Seals (where she was appointed an Honorary board member), the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, VSA arts, and the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet.{{cite web|date=April 4, 2007|title=Marlee Matlin, The Gift of Silence: A Conversation with Marlee Matlin|url=http://www.voicesinc.com/Pages/marlee_matlin.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602131247/http://voicesinc.com/Pages/marlee_matlin.html|archive-date=June 2, 2007|publisher=Voices Inc.com}} She has been a strong advocate for the rights of deaf people, accepting television roles only if producers commit to caption the films, remaining openminded and respectful of both signed and spoken communication preferences, and promoting telephone equipment specifically designed for deaf persons. She has testified before the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources in support of the establishment of the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders. Matlin has also been active in the fight against AIDS, the "Victory Awards" for the National Rehabilitation Hospital, and other causes. She is also a lifetime member of Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America.{{cite web |date=June 8, 2022 |title=Marlee Matlin |url=https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/matlin-marlee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627095305/https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/matlin-marlee |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022}} Matlin has been a frequent guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2019/09/20/epcot-disney-adds-isabella-rossellini-marlee-matlin-to-candlelight-processional-narrator-list/ OrlandoSentinel Disney Adds Martlin to Candlelight] accessed 08-19-2023

Matlin received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree from Gallaudet University in 1987.{{cite web |title=Transcript of honorary degree ceremony at Gallaudet |url=http://saveourdeafschools.org/marlee_matlin_honorary_degree_transcript_1987.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120202/http://saveourdeafschools.org/marlee_matlin_honorary_degree_transcript_1987.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 29, 2011}}{{cite web |title=Photo in 1987 Gallaudet Tower Clock yearbook |url=http://gallyprotest.org/tower_clock_1987_page_368.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083134/http://gallyprotest.org/tower_clock_1987_page_368.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 29, 2011}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20080314031620/http://www.gallaudet.edu/x4988.xml Profile: Marlee Matlin]. Gallaudet University. Access date: December 26, 2007. In 1988, Matlin received the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under, an award given out annually by Jefferson Awards.{{Cite web |title=Past Winners – Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under |url=http://www.jeffersonawards.org/pastwinners/national |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124043935/http://jeffersonawards.org/pastwinners/national |archive-date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |website=jeffersonawards.org}}{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=James H. |date=June 21, 1988 |title=Koop, Marlee Matlin Win Awards for Public Service |url=https://apnews.com/e6f541e226f925b86124f0b16e970cd1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815102333/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1988/Koop-Marlee-Matlin-Win-Awards-for-Public-Service/id-e6f541e226f925b86124f0b16e970cd1 |archive-date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |work=Associated Press News}} In 1991, Matlin received the Bernard Bragg Young Artists Achievement Award at the Annual International Creative Arts Festival sponsored by the Center on Deafness in Chicago. Matlin was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994 as a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service and served as chair of National Volunteer Week.{{cite web |title=Marlee Matlin Biography |url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/artist/A60279 |access-date=12 December 2015 |publisher=The Kennedy Center |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325174624/http://www.kennedy-center.org/artist/A60279 |url-status=live}} Matlin was a participant in the first-ever national television advertising campaign supporting donations to Jewish federations. The program featured "film and television personalities celebrating their Jewish heritage and promoting charitable giving to the Jewish community" and included Greg Grunberg, Joshua Malina, Kevin Weisman, and Jonathan Silverman.[http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=69595 "Film and Television Celebrities Promote Jewish Federations in First-Ever National Television Advertising Campaign – Jewish Stars Promote Federations' Initiatives and Mission"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103142605/http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=69595|date=November 3, 2013}}, Jewish Federations of North America, August 2, 2004.

In October 2007, she was appointed to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees. On July 26, 2010, Matlin signed a speech at an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/video/20th-anniversary-americans-with-disabilities-act 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522090914/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/video/20th-anniversary-americans-with-disabilities-act|date=May 22, 2022}}, The White House. [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/video/20th-anniversary-americans-with-disabilities-act] In the following year, Matlin was a finalist on the NBC show The Celebrity Apprentice, competing to win money for her charity, The Starkey Hearing Foundation,{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=The Celebrity Apprentice|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/10/14/marlee-matlin-responds-trump-insult-celebrity-apprentice/92065842/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015114119/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/10/14/marlee-matlin-responds-trump-insult-celebrity-apprentice/92065842/|archive-date=2016-10-15|access-date=|website=|publisher=Hulu}} finishing in second place. However, on one episode of The Celebrity Apprentice, "The Art of the Deal", which was transmitted on April 3, 2011, she raised more funds than had ever been raised for charity in a single event on any television show before, $986,000.[http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/hearing/marlee-matlin.php "SignTalk Joins Fundraiser for Marlee Matlin's Cause..."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319160940/https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/hearing/marlee-matlin.php |date=March 19, 2023 }}, disabled-world.com, May 12, 2011. Donald Trump, who was then hosting The Celebrity Apprentice, donated an additional $14,000 to make the contribution an even million.

{{as of|2015|January|}}, Matlin acts as the ACLU's celebrity ambassador for disability rights.{{cite web|title=ACLU Ambassadors – Marlee Matlin|url=https://www.aclu.org/ambassadors|access-date=5 January 2015|publisher=aclu.olrg (American Civil Liberties Union)|archive-date=March 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325064755/https://www.aclu.org/ambassadors|url-status=live}} As a "celebrity ambassador" for the ACLU, in attempts to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the deaf community, Matlin discussed the communication barriers when deaf individuals are stopped by the police.{{Cite web|date=March 22, 2018|title=Marlee Matlin on Deaf And Police Interaction|url=https://www.aclu.org/video/marlee-matlin-deaf-and-police-interaction|website=ACLU|access-date=March 22, 2018|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526061717/https://www.aclu.org/video/marlee-matlin-deaf-and-police-interaction|url-status=live}} In recognition of her philanthropic work and her advocacy for the inclusion of people with disabilities, Matlin received the 2016 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion, a $120,000 prize given annually by Jay Ruderman of the Ruderman Family Foundation to one individual whose work excels at promoting disability inclusion. She won the Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards for disability advocacy in 2014.{{cite web |title=2014 Henry Viscardi Achievement Award Recipients |url=https://www.viscardicenter.org/past-hvaa-recipients/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325180128/https://www.viscardicenter.org/past-hvaa-recipients/ |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |access-date=November 19, 2017 |website=Viscardi Center}}

Matlin married Burbank police officer Kevin Grandalski on August 29, 1993, at the home of actor Henry Winkler.{{cite journal|date=July 25, 1994|title=Weddings of the Year|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20103514,00.html|journal=People|volume=42|issue=4|access-date=December 18, 2011|archive-date=March 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317195101/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20103514,00.html|url-status=live}} The couple first met while she was filming a scene from Reasonable Doubts outside the studio grounds; the police department had assigned Grandalski to provide security and control traffic.{{cite web|last=Lipton|first=Michael A.|date=March 15, 1993|title=Law and Ardor|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20109966,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927190922/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20109966,00.html|archive-date=September 27, 2013|access-date=December 18, 2011|work=People}} They have four children: Sarah (born 1996), Brandon (born 2000), Tyler (born 2002), and Isabelle (born 2003).{{cite web|last=Rizzo|first=Monica|date=March 28, 2008|title=At Home with Marlee Matlin|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20196156,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927190759/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20196156,00.html|archive-date=September 27, 2013|access-date=December 18, 2011|work=People}}

In 2002, Matlin published her first novel, titled Deaf Child Crossing, which was loosely based on her own childhood. She later wrote and published a sequel titled Nobody's Perfect, produced on stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in partnership with VSA Arts in October 2007.

On April 14, 2009, Matlin's autobiography, I'll Scream Later, was published. In it, she describes her drug abuse and how it drove her to check herself into the Betty Ford Center. She also tells about her rocky, two-year relationship with her significantly older Children of a Lesser God co-star William Hurt, who she says physically abused and raped her.{{cite web|author=William Hurt|date=April 14, 2009|title=William Hurt to Marlee Matlin: "I Apologize for Any Pain I Caused"|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b118626_william_hurt_marlee_matlin_i_apologize.html|access-date=October 29, 2011|website=E!|archive-date=April 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417124826/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b118626_william_hurt_marlee_matlin_i_apologize.html|url-status=live}} She also addresses the sexual abuse she suffered as a child at the hands of her female babysitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/14/lkl.marlee.matlin/index.html|title=Marlee Matlin: Baby sitter's abuse led to life of drugs, violence|website=CNN|date=April 14, 2009|access-date=April 14, 2009|archive-date=August 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814232050/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/04/14/lkl.marlee.matlin/index.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Marlee Matlin filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Marlee Matlin}}

Following her breakout role in Children of a Lesser God, Matlin has made occasional film appearances (mostly due to lack of substantial roles for deaf actors), but has focused most of her work in television. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God. She was the only deaf performer to have won an Academy Award until 2022 when Troy Kotsur received the award for best supporting actor. Matlin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009.

• {{cite book |last=Matlin |first=Marlee |year=2004 |title=Deaf Child Crossing |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0689866968 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/deafchildcrossin00marl }}
• {{cite book |last1=Matlin |first1=Marlee |last2=Cooney |first2=Doug |year=2007 |title=Leading Ladies |url=https://archive.org/details/leadingladies0000matl |url-access=registration |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-0689869877}}
• {{cite book |last1=Matlin |first1=Marlee |last2=Cooney |first2=Doug |year=2007 |title=Nobody's Perfect |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1416949763}}
• {{cite book |last=Matlin |first=Marlee |year=2009 |title=I'll Scream Later |location=New York |publisher=Simon Spotlight Entertainment |isbn=978-1439102855}}

• List of Academy Award records
• List of oldest and youngest Academy Award winners and nominees – Youngest winners for Best Actress in a Leading Role
• List of oldest and youngest Academy Award winners and nominees – Youngest nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role
• List of Jewish Academy Award winners and nominees
• List of actors with Academy Award nominations

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last1=Lang |first1=Harry |last2=Meath-Lang |first2=Bonnie |title=Deaf Persons in the Arts and Sciences |url=https://archive.org/details/deafpersonsinart00lang |url-access=registration |date=1995 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, Connecticut |pages=[https://archive.org/details/deafpersonsinart00lang/page/244 244–247]|isbn=9780313291708 }}

{{sister project links|commons=category:Marlee Matlin|n=no|v=no|voy=no|b=no|q=no|species=no|wikt=no|mw=no|d=Q213287|s=no}}

• {{Official website|http://www.marleematlin.net/}}
• {{IMDb name|559144}}
• {{Tcmdb name}}
• {{IBDB name}}

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{{AcademyAwardBestActress 1981-2000}}

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