Marlee Matlin
Marlee Beth Matlin (born
August 24,
1965) is an
Academy Award-winning
American actress who is almost completely
deaf.
Born to Don and Libby Matlin, a
Jewish couple from
Morton Grove,
Illinois, Matlin
lost most of her hearing at the age of 18 months, following a bout of
Roseola infantum. She lost all hearing in her right ear, and 80% of hearing in her left ear.
She made her stage debut at the age of seven, as Dorothy in a children's theatre version of
The Wizard of Oz, and continued to appear with the same children's theatre group throughout her childhood.
Her film debut, 1986's
Children of a Lesser God brought her a
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama and an
Academy Award for Best Actress.
She played the lead female role in the television series
Reasonable Doubts (1991 – 1993) and won an
Emmy Award for an appearance in
Picket Fences.
She had recurring roles in
The West Wing and
Blue's Clues. Other television appearances include
Seinfeld and
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She won a 2004
Primetime Emmy Award for the latter.
She is actively involved with a number of charitable organisations, including the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation,
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the Starlight Children's Foundation,
Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet.
Matlin married law enforcement officer Kevin Grandalski, a Roman Catholic, on
August 29,
1993 (in
Henry Winkler's back yard). They have two daughters (Sarah Rose, born 1996; Isabella Jane, born 2003) and two sons (Brandon, born 2000; Tyler, born 2002).
In 2002, she published her first novel,
Deaf Child Crossing, which is loosely based on her own childhood.
In
2004, she starred in the controversial movie
What the Bleep Do We Know as Amanda.
It was recently announced that she will be joining the cast of
The L Word for the upcoming 4th season. She will play the love interest of
Jennifer Beals' character, Bette Porter.
In 2006, Marlee Matlin was honored at AOL's Second Annual Chief Everything Officer Awards.
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Official website*
Celebrity Café Interview*
Marlee Matlin joining The L Word
