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Marlee Matlin Net Worth In 2023, Birthday, Age, Husband And Kids

American actress and writer Marleee Matlin net worth is $11 million. Marlee Matlin has acted in movies such as "Children of a Lesser God" and "CODA" as well as television programs like "Reasonable Doubts" and "Picket Fences."

Author:Alex Mercer
Reviewer:Nathanial Blackwood
Nov 17, 2023157 Shares22.4K Views
American actress and writerMarleee Matlin net worthis $11 million. Marlee Matlin has acted in movies such as "Children of a Lesser God" and "CODA" as well as television programs like "Reasonable Doubts" and "Picket Fences."
When Marlee was 18 months old, she lost the ability to hear completely in her right ear and 80% of the time in her left ear. Marlee Matlin, at age 21, won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in "Children of a Lesser God" in 1986, making history as the youngest woman to do so.
She was also the only actor who is deaf. In addition to "My Name is Earl," "Seinfeld," "Desperate Housewives," "The L Word," "Nip/Tuck," "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," "The West Wing," "Reasonable Doubt," "The Practice," and "Switched at Birth," Matlin has acted in several more movies and television episodes. She has received a Golden Globe Award and four Emmy nominations for her following work in cinema and television.

Quick Facts About Marlee Matlin

NameMarlee Matlin
Date Of BirthAug 24, 1965
Place Of BirthMorton Grove
GenderFemale
ProfessionActor, Film Producer
NationalityUnited States of America
Net Worth$11 Million

Early Life

Matlin was born on August 24, 1965, to Libby and Donald Matlin in Morton Grove, Illinois. Matlin had almost completely lost her hearing by the time she was 18 months old as a result of sickness and fevers. She was up in a Reformed Jewish family with her two elder brothers, Marc and Eric. Her family was able to learn Hebrew phonetically since she was deaf and because they frequented a synagogue for the hearing impaired. She graduated from John Hersey High School and thereafter enrolled at Harper Collegein Illinois' Palatine.

Career Of Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin at a conference
Marlee Matlin at a conference
When Matlin was young, he started performing. She played Dorothy in a performance of "The Wizard of Oz" at the International Center on Deafness and the Arts when she was seven years old. All through her childhood, she performed with the ensemble. Actor Henry Winkler happened to see one of her performances. She made her acting debut in the 1986 movie "Children of a Lesser God" as a result of this encounter.
Critics praised Matlin's portrayal of the role of Sarah Norman and her overall performance. She also received an Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama. She was just 21 years old at the time, making her the youngest actress to ever win the Best Actress Oscar.
For a long time, she was the sole Deaf candidate or winner in any category at the Academy Awards. That changed 36 years later, when Deaf actor and director Troy Kotsur won for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the movie "CODA." She sang a song with Billy Joel in 1988 on "Sesame Street," when she made an appearance. During the performance, Matlin employed sign language.
Joel then extended an invitation to Matlin to take part in the music video for his song "We Didn't Start the Fire." In 1991, Matlin was cast in the television series "Reasonable Doubts". She stayed on the program until 1993 and received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
She had a cameo in the 1992 television show "Picket Fences," for which she won an Emmy. Later on, she was a regular on the program until its 1996 finale. She played Carrie Buck in the 1994 film "Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story," which was based on the Buck v. Bell case heard by the US Supreme Court in 1927. It was Matlin's debut performance as a hearing lady.

Marlee Matlin Husband

In August 1993, Matlin wed police officer Kevin Grandalski. She and Grandalski met when she was shooting "Reasonable Doubts" because Grandalski was tasked with overseeing traffic and providing security for the studio's premises. Together, the couple has given birth to four kids: Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, and Isabelle.
In her book "I'll Scream Later," published in 2009, Matlin lists some of the challenges she has had to overcome. She talks about her drug usage and how the Betty Ford Center helped her achieve sobriety. She also admitted that William Hurt had physically assaulted her during the course of their two-year relationship in the 1980s.
Matlin participates with a variety of philanthropic organizations, including the Red Cross, VSA Arts, Easter Seals, and the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation. She has spent her whole life fighting for the rights of those who are deaf. In order to express her support for the founding of the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders, she gave a testimony before the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

Marlee Matlin Kids

Marlee Matlin has four children. Here are their names:
  • Sarah Rose Grandalski (born in 1996)
  • Brandon Joseph Grandalski (born in 2000)
  • Tyler Daniel Grandalski (born in 2002)
  • Isabelle Jane Grandalski (born in 2003)
Marlee Matlin has been actively involved in her children's lives while juggling her successful acting career and advocacy work.

Marlee Matlin Net Worth

Marlee Matlin smiling
Marlee Matlin smiling
Marlee Matlin's net worth is projected to be at $11 million as of 2023. She has made a significant sum of money through her roles in several films and TV shows. While she was a contestant on the NBC program "The Celebrity Apprentice," Matlin raised the enormous sum of $986,000 for charity. She participated in the competition to generate money for her nonprofit organization, "The Starkey Hearing Foundation". Marlee came in second place overall.

Other Ventures

With charities like Easter Seals (where she was made an Honorary board member), the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, VSA Arts, and the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet, Matlin is actively committed.
She has been a steadfast supporter of the rights of those who are deaf, taking on television parts only if producersagree to caption the movies, showing tolerance and respect for those who prefer spoken or signed communication, and supporting special phone technology for the hearing impaired.
She spoke in favor of the creation of the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders before the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. In addition, Matlin has contributed to causes like the "Victory Awards" for the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the battle against AIDS.

Awards And Nominations

Marlee Matlin wearing a red dress
Marlee Matlin wearing a red dress
The 2016 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion, a $120,000 award given by Jay Ruderman of the Ruderman Family Foundation to one person whose work excels at promoting disability inclusion, was given to Matlin in appreciation of her charitable work and her advocacy for the inclusion of people with disabilities. In 2014, she received the Henry Viscardi Achievement Award for her work in disability activism.
For her work in Children of a Lesser God, she received the Best Actress Academy Award. Up until Troy Kotsur won the Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2022, she was the first deaf artist to have done so. The Bernard Bragg Young Artists Achievement Award was given to Matlin in 1991 during the Annual International Creative Arts Festival in Chicago, which was organized by the Center on Deafness.
In 1987, Gallaudet University bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Matlin. She was admitted to the Board of Trustees of Gallaudet University in October 2007. The Samuel S. Beard Award for Greatest Public Service by a Person 35 Years or Under, presented yearly by Jefferson Awards, was awarded to Matlin in 1988.

Interesting Facts

Marlee Matlin wearing a green dress
Marlee Matlin wearing a green dress
  • At 18 months old, Matlin lost her hearing due to a genetically malformed cochlea.
  • She attended a mainstream public school, paving the way for deaf students to be educated alongside hearing peers.
  • Marlee Matlin made her film debut in 1986's "Children of a Lesser God" and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role.
  • Matlin is the only deaf performer to date who has won an Oscar.
  • She is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and an advocate for the recognition and preservation of sign languages.
  • Marlee Matlin has starred in various television shows, including "The West Wing," "Switched at Birth," and "The L Word."
  • In 2002, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, honoring her achievements in the entertainment industry.
  • Matlin was a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2008 and showcased her dancing skills with professional partner Fabian Sanchez.
  • As an author, she published her autobiography titled "I'll Scream Later" in 2009, sharing her personal journey and experiences.
  • She has written a series of children's books, including "Deaf Child Crossing" and "Nobody's Perfect," aiming to inspire and educate young readers.
  • Marlee Matlin is a strong advocate for closed captioning, ensuring accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
  • In 2016, she appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice," raising funds for her charity, the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
  • Matlin is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting various organizations dedicated to disability rights and empowerment.
  • She founded the Marlee Matlin Scholarship to support deaf students pursuing higher education in the arts and continues to inspire and advocate for the deaf community worldwide.

People Also Ask

When Did Marlee Matlin Win Her First Academy Award, And For Which Movie?

Marlee Matlin won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in 1986 for her role in the film "Children of a Lesser God."

How Has Marlee Matlin Contributed To The Representation Of Deaf Characters In The Entertainment Industry?

Marlee Matlin has dedicated her career to portraying authentic deaf characters in film and television, helping to raise awareness and provide better representation for the deaf community.

Besides Acting, What Other Ventures Has Marlee Matlin Pursued In Her Career?

Apart from her successful acting career, Marlee Matlin has ventured into producing, public speaking, writing children's books, and philanthropy work supporting various causes related to the deaf community.

Final Words

From her early breakthrough in "Children of a Lesser God" to her historic Oscar win as the first deaf performer to receive the prestigious award, she has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Matlin's dedication to portraying authentic deaf characters has not only earned her critical acclaim but has also been instrumental in raising awareness and providing better representation for the deaf community.
Beyond her acting prowess, Marlee Matlin's advocacy work has been an inspiring force for change. She has used her platform to advocate for disability rights, sign language recognition, and the importance of inclusivity in all aspects of society. Through her public speaking engagements, writing, and philanthropy, she continues to make a positive impact on the lives of deaf individuals and the wider community.
Marlee Matlin's achievements extend beyond her work in entertainment, encompassing various ventures that showcase her versatility and passion. Her dedication to promoting accessibility and breaking barriers has inspired countless individuals worldwide.
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Alex Mercer

Alex Mercer

Author
Alex Mercer is a seasoned author and analyst specializing in wealth research, with a keen focus on evaluating the net worth of individuals across various industries. With over a decade of experience in financial analysis and wealth assessment, Alex has developed a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to an individual's financial status, from investments and assets to market trends and economic policies. His work involves in-depth reviews and analyses, providing insightful observations on wealth accumulation, management strategies, and the socio-economic implications of wealth distribution. Throughout his career, Alex has become known for his ability to distill complex financial data into understandable and engaging narratives, making the subject of wealth and net worth accessible to a broad audience. His expertise is not just in numbers but in telling the stories behind them, highlighting the journeys, strategies, and decisions that lead to financial success or challenges. Alex's contributions to the field of wealth research are valuable resources for anyone looking to understand the dynamics of wealth in today's world, offering a unique perspective that bridges the gap between financial analysis and human interest.
Nathanial Blackwood

Nathanial Blackwood

Reviewer
Nathanial (Nate) Blackwood is a distinguished financial journalist with a decade of experience in net worth analysis. He holds an Economics degree from the University of Finance and a Data Analysis certification, enabling him to blend thorough insights with engaging storytelling. Nate is known for making complex financial information accessible to a wide audience, earning acclaim for his precise and reader-friendly analyses. Beyond his writing, Nate is dedicated to financial literacy, actively participating in educational forums and workshops. He is the founder of PureNetWealth, a platform that demystifies the financial achievements of public figures by exploring the strategies and decisions behind their fortunes. Nate's work bridges the gap between intricate economic concepts and the general public, inspiring a deeper understanding of wealth dynamics. Follow Nathanial Blackwood for essential insights into the financial narratives shaping our world.
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