Humanitarian of the Week: Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin

One of the few actors to win an Academy Award in a debut role, Marlee Matlin continues to hold the position as the youngest performer to receive the Best Actress Academy Award. Talented and charming, Miss Matlin occupies a permanent place in the roster of great contemporary actors. Known for her dramatic power as well as her ability to not take herself too seriously, Matlin is a favorite of many in the theatrical and film community.


Miss Matlin lost her hearing at the age of two, but was not deterred in her desire to become a performer. As a child, she made her first appearances on stage, catching the attention of actor Henry Winkler who helped foster the young woman’s career. She has played both deaf and “hearing” roles in a variety of highly acclaimed films and television programs. Additionally, Miss Matlin is an accomplished author of both fiction and nonfiction.

Despite all of this success, Marlee Matlin remains grounded and dedicated to helping others. In addition to her work in raising awareness and tolerance for the deaf (especially with the Starkey hearing Foundation for which she raised an unprecedented sum of one million dollars during her appearance on the U.S. television program, The Celebrity Apprentice), Matlin also works closely with Easter Seals (for which she serves as an Honorary Board Member), the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, VSA arts, and the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet as well as The Corporation for National Service (to which she was appointed by President Bill Clinton). To learn more about this remarkable person, visit Miss Matlin’s Web site.