Marlee Matlin
Biography
Marlee Bethany Matlin is an American actress born on August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, Illinois. Deaf since she was two years old, she is a prominent member of the National Association of the Deaf. She made history as the youngest woman and the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she won at age 21 for her debut role in Children of a Lesser God. Her extensive work in film and television has also resulted in a Golden Globe award, two additional Golden Globe nominations, and four Emmy nominations.
Career overview
Marlee Bethany Matlin is an American actress born on August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, Illinois. Deaf since she was two years old, she has built a notable career in film and television and is a prominent member of the National Association of the Deaf. Matlin made history when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at age 21 for her debut role in Children of a Lesser God. With this win, she became the youngest woman and the only deaf actress to date to receive the award.
Throughout her career in film and television, Matlin has earned a Golden Globe award alongside two additional nominations, as well as four Emmy nominations. Known for her extensive acting credits in both film and television, her notable work includes appearances in projects such as Children of a Lesser God, Variety Studio Actors on Actors, Všichni starostovi muži, and V rytmu srdce.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Marlee Matlin.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
93 titles- Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (2025) as Self
- The Making of 'The Linguini Incident' (2024) as Self
- Accused (2023) Director
- CODA (2021) as Jackie Rossi
- Multiverse (2021) as Dierdre
- A Night at the Academy Museum (2021) as Self
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- The Paley Center Salutes Law & Order: SVU (2020) as Self
- A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- Feeling Through (2019) Executive Producer
- Connecting the Dots: The Story of Feeling Through (2019) Executive Producer
- Gone (2018)
- This Close (2018) as Annie
- CinemAbility: The Art of Inclusion (2018) as Self
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self
- The Magicians (2015) as Harriet
- Quantico (2015) as Jocelyn Turner
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Variety Studio: Actors on Actors (2014) as Self
- Cosmos (2014) as Annie Jump Cannon (voice)
- Some Kind of Beautiful (2014) as Cindy
- No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie (2013) as Herself
- 4Closed (2013) as Ally Turner
- Excision (2012) as Amber
- Switched at Birth (2011) as Melody Bledsoe
- Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (2011) as Self
- Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump (2011) as Self
- Glee (2009) as Marlee Matlin
- Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009) as Self
- Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show (2009) as Self
- Sweet Nothing in My Ear (2008) as Laura Miller
- Dispatches from Nicaragua (2008)
- Through Deaf Eyes (2007) as Self - Actress
- What the Bleep! Down the Rabbit Hole (2006) as Amanda
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self - Contestant
- Dancing with the Stars (2005) as Self - Audience Member
- My Name Is Earl (2005) as Ruby Whitlow
- Hell's Kitchen (2005) as Self - Restaurant Patron
- Baby Einstein: Baby Wordsworth - First Words Around The House (2005)
- Desperate Housewives (2004) as Alisa Stevens
- CSI: NY (2004) as Gina Mitchum
- The L Word (2004) as Jodi Lerner
- What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004) as Amanda
- Nip/Tuck (2003) as Barbara Shapiro
- Comedy Central Roasts (2003) as Self
- I'm with Her (2003) as Marlee Matlin
- Eddie's Million Dollar Cook Off (2003) Executive Producer
- The Division (2001) as Ann Polton
- Kiss My Act (2001) as Casey
- Askari (2001) as Paula McKinley
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Julia Holden
- Gideon's Crossing (2000)
- Two Shades of Blue (2000) as Beth McDaniels
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Dr. Amy Solwey
- Family Guy (1999) as Stella (voice)
- The West Wing (1999) as Joey Lucas
- Judging Amy (1999) as Eliza Spears
- Chicken Soup for the Soul (1999)
- In Her Defense (1999) as Jane Claire
- Where the Truth Lies (1999) as Dana Sue Lacey
- Where the Truth Lies (1999) Executive Producer
- When Justice Fails (1999) as Katy Wesson
- Freak City (1999) as Cass
- The View (1997) as Self - Guest
- The Practice (1997) as Sally Berg
- Dead Silence (1997) as Melanie Charrol
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- Spin City (1996) as Sarah
- Blue's Clues (1996)
- It's My Party (1996) as Daphne Stark
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Jennifer Winter
- ER (1994) as Sign Language Instructor
- Sweet Justice (1994) as Brianna Holland
- Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story (1994) as Carrie Buck
- Hear No Evil (1993) as Jillian Shanahan
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992) as Marlee Matlin
- Picket Fences (1992) as Mayor Laurie Bey
- Picket Fences (1992) as Laurie Bey
- Adventures in Wonderland (1992) as April Hare
- The Player (1992) as Marlee Matlin
- Reasonable Doubts (1991) as ADA Tess Kaufman
- L'homme au masque d'or (1991) as Sœur Maria
- The Linguini Incident (1991) as Jeanette
- Seinfeld (1989) as Laura
- Bridge to Silence (1989) as Peggy Lawrence
- Walker (1987) as Ellen Martin
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- Children of a Lesser God (1986) as Sarah Norman
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Run as Holly
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Marlee Matlin best known for?
Marlee Matlin is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Accused (2023), CODA (2021), Multiverse (2021), Stars in the House (2020).
When and where was Marlee Matlin born?
Marlee Matlin was born on August 24, 1965 in Morton Grove, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Marlee Matlin have?
Marlee Matlin has accumulated over 93 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2025.
What is Marlee Matlin's background in cinema and television?
Marlee Bethany Matlin is an American actress born on August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, Illinois. Deaf since she was two years old, she is a prominent member of the National Association of the Deaf. She made history as the youngest woman and the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Ro...