Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Marlee Matlin
Discover the career path of Marlee Matlin, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Marlee Matlin is a celebrated American actress, activist, and author, notable for her advocacy for deaf individuals and representation of deaf characters. Deaf since infancy, she achieved widespread recognition with her Academy Award-winning debut in "Children of a Lesser God." Matlin has consistently championed deaf representation in Hollywood, advocating for accessibility and inclusion. Her career includes numerous film and television roles, earning her a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy nominations. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, solidifying her impact on entertainment and activism.
1 day ago : Marlee Matlin's career, Winkler's support, and deaf representation at Tribeca Film Festival.
Marlee Matlin, the Oscar-winning actress, attended the Tribeca Film Festival. Henry Winkler supported Matlin after a difficult relationship with William Hurt. The discussion of deaf representation in Hollywood continues. Matlin remains a trailblazer.
1986: Acting Debut and Academy Award Win
In 1986, Marlee Matlin made her acting debut in "Children of a Lesser God", and she won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.
1986: Film Debut in Children of a Lesser God
In 1986, Marlee Matlin made her film debut in "Children of a Lesser God" after being discovered by Henry Winkler. She won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for her performance.
1988: Oscar Presentation
In 1988, Marlee Matlin presented the Academy Award for Best Actor at the Oscars, signing her introduction in ASL and then speaking the names of the nominees and winner Michael Douglas.
1988: Samuel S. Beard Award
In 1988, Marlee Matlin received the Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years or Under from the Jefferson Awards.
1989: Portrayal of a Deaf Widow in Bridge to Silence
In 1989, Marlee Matlin portrayed a deaf widow in the television movie "Bridge to Silence", where she spoke in addition to using sign language.
1991: Bernard Bragg Young Artists Achievement Award
In 1991, Marlee Matlin received the Bernard Bragg Young Artists Achievement Award at the Annual International Creative Arts Festival sponsored by the Center on Deafness in Chicago.
1991: Nomination for Golden Globe for Reasonable Doubts
In 1991, Marlee Matlin was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the television series "Reasonable Doubts".
1991: Nominated for Golden Globe
In 1991, Marlee Matlin was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her role in "Reasonable Doubts".
1992: Guest appearance in Picket Fences
In 1992, Marlee Matlin made a guest appearance in "Picket Fences".
1993: Emmy Nomination for Seinfeld and Picket Fences
In 1993, Marlee Matlin received a nomination for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her guest role in "Seinfeld" and received another nomination for her role in "Picket Fences".
1993: Emmy Nomination for Picket Fences
In 1993, Marlee Matlin was nominated for an Emmy Award for a guest appearance in "Picket Fences".
1994: Role in Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story
In 1994, Marlee Matlin played Carrie Buck in the television drama "Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story", based on the 1927 United States Supreme Court case. She portrayed a hearing woman in this role.
1994: Appointment to Corporation for National and Community Service
In 1994, Marlee Matlin was appointed by President Bill Clinton as a member of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, serving as chair of National Volunteer Week.
1996: Regular on Picket Fences
In 1996, Marlee Matlin became a regular on the series "Picket Fences" during its final season.
2000: Role on The West Wing
In 2000, Marlee Matlin played Joey Lucas on the political drama series "The West Wing".
2000: Emmy Nomination for The Practice
In 2000, Marlee Matlin received an Emmy nomination for her guest appearance in "The Practice".
2002: Publication of Deaf Child Crossing
In 2002, Marlee Matlin published her first novel, titled Deaf Child Crossing, loosely based on her childhood.
2004: Hosted Cinema of the Deaf Festival and Starred in What the Bleep Do We Know!?
In 2004, Marlee Matlin hosted the 3rd Annual Festival for Cinema of the Deaf in Chicago. She also starred in the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" as Amanda.
2004: Emmy Nomination for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
In 2004, Marlee Matlin received an Emmy nomination for her guest appearance in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
2005: Continued Role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
In 2005, Marlee Matlin continued her role in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
2006: Continued Role on The West Wing
In 2006, Marlee Matlin continued her role as Joey Lucas on "The West Wing".
2006: Roles in Desperate Housewives, My Name Is Earl, and CSI: NY; Cast in The L Word
In 2006, Marlee Matlin played a deaf parent in "Desperate Housewives", had a recurring role in "My Name Is Earl", played a mother in an episode of "CSI: NY", and was cast in season 4 of "The L Word" as Jodi Lerner.
February 4, 2007: Interpreted Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XLI
On February 4, 2007, Marlee Matlin interpreted the "Star Spangled Banner" in American Sign Language at Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida.
October 2007: Appointment to Gallaudet University Board of Trustees
In October 2007, Marlee Matlin was appointed to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees.
October 2007: Stage production of Nobody's Perfect
In October 2007, a stage production of Marlee Matlin's sequel, Nobody's Perfect, was produced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in partnership with VSA Arts.
2007: Appearance in The L Word
In 2007, Marlee Matlin appeared in the drama series "The L Word".
January 2008: Appearance on Nip/Tuck and Dancing with the Stars
In January 2008, Marlee Matlin appeared on "Nip/Tuck" as a television executive and participated in the sixth season of "Dancing with the Stars".
April 14, 2009: Publication of I'll Scream Later
On April 14, 2009, Marlee Matlin's autobiography, I'll Scream Later, was published, detailing her drug abuse, time at the Betty Ford Center, and relationship with William Hurt.
May 6, 2009: Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On May 6, 2009, Marlee Matlin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
November 8, 2009: Appearance on Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show
On November 8, 2009, Marlee Matlin appeared on "Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show" and later voiced Stella on "Family Guy".
2009: Continued Role in The L Word
In 2009, Marlee Matlin continued to appear in the drama series "The L Word".
2009: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2009, Marlee Matlin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her contributions to the entertainment industry.
March 29, 2010: Uploaded My Deaf Family Pilot to YouTube
On March 29, 2010, Marlee Matlin uploaded the pilot for her reality show, "My Deaf Family", to YouTube and launched a viral marketing campaign after networks declined to purchase the rights.
July 26, 2010: Signed speech at ADA anniversary
On July 26, 2010, Marlee Matlin signed a speech at an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
April 3, 2011: Fundraising record on The Celebrity Apprentice
On April 3, 2011, during an episode of The Celebrity Apprentice, Marlee Matlin raised $986,000 for charity, a record for a single event on television at the time. Donald Trump then donated an additional $14,000.
2011: Appearance in Switched at Birth
In 2011, Marlee Matlin appeared in the drama series "Switched at Birth".
2012: Voice Role in Family Guy
In 2012, Marlee Matlin voiced Stella in the animated sitcom "Family Guy".
2013: Played Herself in No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie
In 2013, Marlee Matlin played herself in "No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie".
January 2015: ACLU celebrity ambassador
As of January 2015, Marlee Matlin began serving as the ACLU's celebrity ambassador for disability rights, discussing communication barriers between law enforcement and the deaf community.
September 2015: Broadway Debut in Spring Awakening Revival
In September 2015, Marlee Matlin made her Broadway debut in the revival production of the musical "Spring Awakening".
2015: Broadway Debut in Spring Awakening
In 2015, Marlee Matlin made her Broadway debut in the revival of "Spring Awakening".
February 7, 2016: Interpreted Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl 50
On February 7, 2016, Marlee Matlin interpreted the "Star Spangled Banner" in American Sign Language at Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California.
2016: Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion
In 2016, Marlee Matlin received the Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion, a $120,000 prize, for her philanthropic work and disability inclusion advocacy.
July 31, 2017: Joined Quantico as Series Regular
On July 31, 2017, it was announced that Marlee Matlin joined the third season of the ABC thriller "Quantico" as a series regular, playing ex-FBI agent Jocelyn Turner.
2017: Continued Role in Switched at Birth
In 2017, Marlee Matlin continued her role in the series "Switched at Birth".
2019: Mentioned in Hearing Like Me for Life and Deaf
In 2019, Marlee Matlin was mentioned in an article by Hearing Like Me as someone who could bring more #DeafTalent to "Life and Deaf", a comedy show set in the 1970s, which she was to executive produce.
2021: Appeared in CODA
In 2021, Marlee Matlin appeared in "CODA", an American comedy-drama film about a hearing teenage girl with deaf parents, which won her the SAG Award for Best Ensemble.
2021: Continued Voice Role in Family Guy and Award for CODA
In 2021, Marlee Matlin continued to voice Stella in "Family Guy" and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in "CODA".
2025: Release of Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
In 2025, Marlee Matlin appeared in "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore" a documentary revolving around her life and career, directed by Shoshannah Stern, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
2025: Release of Documentary
In 2025, the documentary "Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore" about her life and work was released.
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