Contact: Dr. Karen Dilka Eastern Kentucky University

1. Contact: Dr. Karen DilkaEastern Kentucky University • Date submitted to deafed.net – May 29, 2007 • To contact the author for permission to use this PowerPoint, please e-mail: Karen.Dilka@EKU.EDU • To use this PowerPoint presentation in its entirety, please give credit to the author.

2. Marlee MatlinA Famous AmericanDeaf Actress Lori Seekford SED 830 Summer 2005

3. Marlee Matlin • Marlee was born Aug. 24 1965 in Morton, Ill. • She lost her hearing at 18 mos. of age from a fever associated with roseola, a form of measles. • Marlee lost all hearing in her right ear and 80% in her left. • Marlee learned to speak first, and then to sign by the age of 5.

4. Marlee was raised by a very supportive, loving family who encouraged her to achieve her dreams, despite her disability. The hearing aids help her to hear sound, but not to understand it. She relies on a combination of her eyes and ears to help hear. She attended public schools where she received an education upon her hearing peers. Marlee was fitted with hearing aids around this time, and wears them still today.

5. “When I learned to sign and speak at the same time, the whole world opened up to me. That’s the beauty of encouraging kids who are deaf to use whatever it takes to communicate.” ~ Marlee Matlin

6. A Star is Born • Marlee began her acting career at 7 yrs. of age • Marlee’s first role on stage was as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz

7. Marlee’s Movie Career Really Begins • She is one of only four actresses to receive that honor for a film debut. • In 1985, Marlee made her 1st stage appearance as the supporting role of Lydia in Children of a Lesser God. • That same year she was honored by Harper’s Bazaar Magazine as one of the “The Ten Most Beautiful Women” and Esquaire Magazine’s “Women We Love.” • At age twenty-one she won an Oscar for Best Actress in the movie adaptation and became the youngest recipient of the award.

8. Film Career Marlee followed her first debut with a second feature film, “Walker.” While filming for the movie, Marlee took time to visit hearing impaired children throughout the world as she continues to do today.

9. The Late 1980’s • Marlee worked with others to make closed captioning mandatory for all television sets. • This effort culminated in the Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990. “I can’t imagine a deaf person surviving without access to assistive technology and the Internet.” ~ Marlee Matlin

10. Marriage • Marlee married Kevin Grandalski on Aug. 29 1993. • They now have four children, Sarah, Brandon, Tyler and Isabelle.

11. Children of a Lesser God (1986) Walker (1988) Bridge to Silence (1989) (CBS) The Man in the Golden Mask (1990) The Linguini Incident (1991) The Player (1992) Hear No Evil (1993) Against Her Will (1994) (Lifetime) It’s My Party (1995) Sead Silence (1996) (HBO) Freak City (1998) (Showtime) Where the Truth Lies (1999) (Lifetime) Kiss My Act (2001) Askari (2001) What the Bleep Do We Know (2005) Film Career

12. Reasonable Doubts (1991-1993) (NBC Seinfeld (1993) Adventures in Wonderland (1993) Picket Fences (1993,1994-1996) Sweet Justice (1995) People in Motion (1996) The Larry Sanders Show (1997) Spin City (1997) ER (1998) Judging Amy (1999) Blue’s Clues (2000-2003) The Practice (2000) Gideon’s Crossing (2001) The Division (2002) The West Wing (2000-2004) I’m With Her (2004) Law and Order: SVU (2004) Extreme Makeover: The Home Edition (2004) Desperate Housewives (2005) Television Career

13. Awards and Recognitions • Cable Ace Nomination - Best Actress in a Miniseries (1994) • Academy Award for Best Actress (1987) • Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama (1987) • Emmy Nomination • Golden Globe Nom. Best Actress (1992, 1993) • People’s Choice Award Nom. Favorite Actress in Drama (1992, 1993)

14. Noteworthy Achievements • Executive Producer: • Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-off (2003) Disney • Where the Truth Lies (1999) Lifetime • Author Deaf Child Crossing (2002) • DVD Baby Wordsworth (2005) Disney Baby Einstein (2005) teaching sign language to infants • Appointed by President Clinton to the Board of Directors for the Corporation for National Service and Chairperson for National Volunteer Week

15. Charitable Causes • National Celebrity spokesperson for The American Red Cross • VSA Arts • Easter Seals • The Elizabeth Glasser Pediatric Aids Foundation • The Children Affected by AIDS Foundation • Starlight Foundation • Starkey Hearing Foundation • Best Buddies • Public Service Announcements for Target, Sprint, and Toys R US

16. “I like to say that the greatest handicap of deafness does not lie in the ear, it lies in the mind. I hope that through my example, such as my role on The West Wing, I can help change attitudes on deafness and prove we can really do everything….except hear.” ~~Marlee Matlin

17. References • www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/may2001/nf20010523_563.htm • www.ftppro.com/library/Marlee_Matlin • www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/Oct03/1014ESAssitiveTechPRasp • www.healthyhearing.com/library/interview_content.asp?interview_id=203 • www.deafness.about.com/cs/celebfeatures/a/marleeterrylene.htm • www.marleematlinsite.com