Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

Marlee Matlin was born into a hearing family, like roughly 95% of Deaf people. Growing up in Illinois, she faced episodes of isolation and abuse. She found joy in performing at a local deaf theater. Marlee became a star at the age of 19 playing the lead in Children of a Lesser God opposite William Hurt, and their chemistry was instant. A tumultuous relationship marked by domestic violence and substance abuse ensued, leading Marlee to enter rehab. There, she learned of her Academy Award nomination, which altered the course of her life. 

She won, and immediately journalists inundated her with questions asking her to educate hearing people about the Deaf community. Marlee then channeled her sudden rise to fame into advocacy towards accessibility through closed captioning. In June 1990, her testimony before a Senate committee led to legislation mandating that new televisions carry closed captioning circuitry. 

Marlee fought for many of her roles and projects, thinking outside the box of traditional Hollywood casting to find opportunities for herself. She also fought for casting Deaf actors to play her family in the film CODA when the studio suggested they would cast hearing actors. She became the first Deaf director in the Directors Guild of America for directing the drama Accused. While on set, Marlee experienced a moment of emotional intensity and shared how the show echoed her own struggles. Enveloped by the mixed Deaf and hearing crew, she was celebrated at the wrap party in a moment of communion, a convergence of her personal and professional odyssey.