Marlee Matlin (born August 24, 1965, Morton Grove, Illinois, U.S.) is an American actress and activist who was the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award, for best actress for her debut film performance, in Children of a Lesser God (1986).

Is Marlee Matlin fully deaf?

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. She is the only member of her family who is deaf.

What is Marlee Matlin doing now?

Now, Matlin has stepped behind the camera to direct “Ava's Story,” the second episode of the Fox anthology series Accused.

Who was the second deaf Oscar winner?

"CODA" supporting star Troy Kotsur makes history as the second deaf performer to win an Oscar, following co-star Marlee Matlin.

How many deaf actors have won Oscars?

Troy Kotsur is now the first man who is Deaf to win an Academy Award for acting, collecting the trophy for best actor in a supporting role. His CODA costar, Marlee Matlin, was the first Deaf actor to win an Oscar back in 1987, receiving the best actress award for Children of a Lesser God.

Marlee Matlin Wins Best Actress | 59th Oscars (1987)

Who is the youngest deaf actress to win an Oscar?

Marlee Matlin (born August 24, 1965, Morton Grove, Illinois, U.S.) is an American actress and activist who was the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award, for best actress for her debut film performance, in Children of a Lesser God (1986).

Who is the most famous deaf actress?

Marlee Matlin is, to date, the only deaf performer to have won an Academy Award. Her career has spanned nearly five decades, including acclaim for her lead role in Children of a Lesser God in 1986, which earned her an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

Can Marlee Matlin's children hear?

For Matlin, appearing in a film that reflects her kids' experiences was also special and emotional. "As a mom of four hearing kids and with a husband, who's also hearing, it was exciting to be able to represent this film, bringing a lot of experiences in my life as a mom of a CODA," Matlin explained.

Can Marlee Matlin hear music?

Matlin, who is deaf, won a 1986 Oscar for the film, "Children of a Lesser God." (She shares her music favorites with assistance from a sign language interpreter.)

Why is Halle Berry deaf?

Halle Berry: The Oscar-Winning Icon

Berry developed partial deafness in one ear after a domestic violence incident. Despite this setback, she has continued to thrive in her career, advocating for survivors and breaking the silence around the issue.

Does Halle Berry wear a hearing aid?

Halle Berry

This actress has been a Hollywood staple for years, but her hearing loss came in the nineties due to a tragic domestic situation. With nearly 80% of her hearing lost in her ear, Berry relies on a hearing aid when she is not on camera.

Who is the deaf blonde actress?

Deaf almost from birth, actress Marlee Matlin became a respected Academy Award-winning actress. Born in Morton Grove, Illinois, she lost most of her hearing while still a baby.

How old was Marlee Matlin when she won an Oscar?

Marlee Matlin's historic Oscar win at just 21 was an unforgettable night — for all the wrong reasons. At the 1987 Oscars, Matlin became the first deaf person to win an Oscar and the youngest Best Actress recipient for her work in Children of a Lesser God.

Who has refused an Oscar?

(NEXSTAR) – The Academy Award is generally regarded as one of the highest honors that an actor can receive — the keyword being “generally.” In the history of the Oscars, however, there have only been three people who refused their awards: actors George C. Scott and Marlon Brando, and screenwriter Dudley Nichols.

Who is the deaf best supporting actor?

Kotsur's portrayal of a deaf father in the comedy drama film CODA (2021) was critically acclaimed and won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first male deaf actor, and second overall (after Marlee Matlin) to win an acting Oscar.

Will a deaf mother have a deaf child?

There is a wide variation in the causes of deafness. Because of this 9 out of 10 deaf children are born to hearing parents and 1 out of 10 children born to deaf parents are also deaf. With current tests, it is only possible to determine the probable cause of their deafness for about half (40-50%) of children.

What made Marlee Matlin famous?

Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures' Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar and only one of four actresses to receive the honor for a film debut.

Who is the deaf girl in Seinfeld?

In this episode, George gets Jerry's deaf girlfriend to use her lip reading talent to eavesdrop on his own ex-girlfriend and find out the reason why she dumped him. The title character was played by Marlee Matlin.

Was Halle Berry born deaf?

Halle Berry

During the early 1990s, Berry's then-boyfriend hit her so hard that he punctured her left eardrum. She lost 80% of the hearing on that side. Berry, the only African American to win the Oscar for best lead actress, grew up watching her mother get beaten.

What singer went deaf?

Mandy Harvey

Harvey has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic disorder, and hearing loss as a result of the syndrome. Harvey went to Colorado State University to pursue a degree in vocal music education. It was during this time that she lost the rest of her hearing.

What actor is deaf in one ear?

Rob Lowe

Known for his role in hit shows like The West Wing and Parks and Recreation, Lowe has been deaf in one ear since he was an infant.

Who has the youngest Oscar ever?

Actress Tatum O'Neal was only 10 years old when she won a competitive Oscar in 1974. She became the youngest person to win the award. Tatum was recognised as the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in “Paper Moon.” In the film, she starred opposite her real-life father, Ryan O'Neal.

Who is the youngest Oscar singer?

Billie Eilish breaks industry record as youngest two-time Oscar winner at 22 with 'What Was I Made For?'

Who is the youngest best actor Oscar?

As for Best Actor, Adrien Brody holds the title of youngest winner for his performance in 'The Pianist', winning the accolade in 2002 at age twenty-nine. In the Supporting Actor category, Timothy Hutton won at age twenty for his work in the 1980 film 'Ordinary People'.