Marlee Beth Matlin was born on August 24, 1965, to Don and Libby Matlin; she was their third child. Marlee became deaf at the age of 18 months due to a bout with Roseola Infantum. That didn't stop her, though, from acting in a children's theatre company at age 7; she was Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz." Her deafness never held her back. As an adult she said it so eloquently: "I have always resisted putting limitations on myself, both professionally and personally." Marlee studied Criminal Justice at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, and maintained her passion for acting after graduating. While performing on stage throughout Chicago and the Midwest, Marlee attracted notice for her performance in a production of the Tony award-winning play "Children of a Lesser God" and was cast in the movie version, Children of a Lesser God (1986). Although this was her film debut, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. While shooting her next movie. Walker (1987) in Nicaragua, big-hearted Marlee took time to visit both hearing and hearing-impaired children. She continued this tradition of visiting local children throughout her travels to Germany, England, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Canada, etc. Her interest in the criminal justice field played a part in her on screen career; she portrayed an Assistant D.A. in the TV series "Reasonable Doubts" (1991), while off screen she married police officer Kevin Grandalski on August 29, 1993. Marlee was nominated for an Emmy award in 1994 for her performance as Laurie Bey in the "Picket Fences" (1992) episode "Dancing Bandit." Marlee is also a spokeswoman for the National Captioning Institute. In 1995 she testified at a Congressional hearing, and helped get a law passed that requires all TV sets 13 inches or larger to be manufactured with built-in chips to provide "Closed Captioning" on their screens; this was a godsend for deaf viewers.Marlee is currently serving as the national spokeswoman for the largest provider of TV Closed Captioning, and has spoken on behalf of "CC" in countries such as Australia, England, France and Italy. She also serves on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, including Very Special Arts, the Starlight Foundation, and other charities that primarily benefit children. As someone who loves children so much, it is only fitting that she has four of her own. Professionally, Marlee has even tried producing, being the Executive Producer for Where the Truth Lies (1999) (TV).

Used to live with William Hurt.She was rendered deaf in infancy by a bout of Roseola Infantum.Husband is a police officer.Was married in Henry Winkler's (the Fonz's) backyard.Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1986" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 38.Sons; Brandon Joseph Grandalski, born September 12, 2000 and Tyler Daniel, born July 18, 2002. Daughters; Sara Rose, born January 19, 1996 and Isabelle Jane, born December 26, 2003. All four of Marlee's children were born in Los Angeles.Graduated from John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL.She presented the Vardon family with $50,000 from a charity for the Vardon's son to go to the college of his choice. This was on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (2003). The Vardon family is made up of two deaf parents, a hearing older son (Stefan) and a younger son who is both blind and autistic.One of a chosen few to win a Best Acting Oscar for a debut performance.Youngest Winner to win the Oscar in the Best Actress Category at the age of 21.Her daughter Sara was born on the same day an episode of "Picket Fences" (1992) aired, in which her character, Laurie Bey, also gave birth.As a child, she attended a synagogue for the deaf.She is profoundly deaf. Her right ear has complete loss, while her left ear has around 80% loss.Lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Kevin, and their four children [2009].Close friends with Jennifer Beals.Named godmother of Holland-America Line cruise ship the MS Noordam.