Marlee Matlin

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Marlee Matlin (born August 24, 1965) is an American actress, author, and activist. She is notable for being the only deaf performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she received for her debut film performance in Children of a Lesser God (1986). Matlin has also received a Golden Globe Award and has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards.

Early Life

Marlee Beth Matlin was born in Morton Grove, Illinois. She lost most of her hearing at the age of 18 months due to a genetically malformed cochlea. Despite her hearing loss, Matlin was encouraged by her parents to pursue her interests in acting and performing.

Career

Film

Matlin made her film debut in Children of a Lesser God (1986), a role for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has since appeared in numerous films, including Walker (1987), The Player (1992), and It's My Party (1996).

Television

Matlin has had a prolific career in television. She starred in the series Reasonable Doubts (1991-1993) and had recurring roles in Picket Fences, The West Wing, and Switched at Birth. She has also made guest appearances on shows such as Seinfeld, The Practice, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Stage

In addition to her work in film and television, Matlin has also performed on stage. She made her Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of Spring Awakening, which featured both hearing and deaf actors.

Activism

Matlin is a prominent advocate for the deaf community and has worked extensively to promote closed captioning and American Sign Language (ASL). She has served on the boards of several organizations, including the National Association of the Deaf and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.

Personal Life

Matlin is married to Kevin Grandalski, a police officer, and they have four children. She is an advocate for hearing loss awareness and has written several books, including her autobiography, I'll Scream Later.

Awards and Honors

• Academy Award for Best Actress (1986)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (1986)
• Screen Actors Guild Award nominations
• Primetime Emmy Award nominations

See Also

• Deaf culture
• American Sign Language
• Academy Award for Best Actress
• Golden Globe Award