Here’s an overview of Marlee Matlin’s net worth and biography:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marlee Beth Matlin |
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1965 (Age 59) |
| Place of Birth | Morton Grove, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Author, Activist |
| Net Worth | $11 million to $15 million (varies by source) |
| Notable Works | Children of a Lesser God, CODA, Reasonable Doubts, Picket Fences |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress, Golden Globe, Four Emmy Nominations |
| Spouse | Kevin Grandalski (married since August 29, 1993) |
| Children | Four (Brandon Joseph, Isabelle Jane, Sara Rose, Tyler Daniel) |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters) |
| Ethnicity | Ashkenazi Jewish |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Significant Achievements | The youngest person to win the Oscar for Best Actress at age 21 |
Marlee Matlin’s Net Worth in 2024
Marlee Matlin is a renowned American actress and author with an impressive net worth of $11 million. She gained fame for her remarkable performances in films such as “Children of a Lesser God” and “CODA,” as well as television series like “Reasonable Doubts” and “Picket Fences.”
Tragically, Marlee lost all hearing in her right ear and about 80% of her hearing in her left ear when she was just 18 months old. Despite this challenge, she made history in 1986 when she became the youngest woman ever and the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Children of a Lesser God.”
Throughout her career, Matlin has starred in numerous films and TV shows, including “My Name Is Earl,” “Seinfeld,” “Desperate Housewives,” “The L Word,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The West Wing,” “Reasonable Doubt,” “The Practice,” and “Switched at Birth.” Her dedication and talent have earned her four Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award, showcasing her significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Marlee Matlin continues to inspire many with her remarkable achievements and resilience.
◾Also Read: Danica Patrick Net Worth 2024
Early Life
Marlee Matlin was born on August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, Illinois, to her parents, Libby and Donald Matlin. Unfortunately, by the age of 18 months, she had lost nearly all of her hearing due to a combination of illness and fevers. Growing up, she had two older brothers, Eric and Marc, and was raised in a Reformed Jewish household.
Due to her deafness, Matlin’s family attended a synagogue for the deaf, where she learned to study Hebrew phonetically. She completed her high school education at John Hersey High School before moving on to Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Matlin’s early experiences shaped her resilience and passion for acting, paving the way for her remarkable career in the entertainment industry.
Career Highlights
Marlee Matlin began her acting journey at a young age. At just seven years old, she took on the role of Dorothy in a production of “The Wizard of Oz,” staged by the International Center on Deafness and the Arts. Throughout her childhood, she continued to perform with this group.
During one memorable performance, she caught the attention of actor Henry Winkler, which eventually led to her film debut in “Children of a Lesser God” in 1986. In this film, Matlin played Sarah Norman, a role that garnered critical acclaim and won her both the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama and the Academy Award for Best Actress. Remarkably, at only 21 years old, she became the youngest actress to win the Oscar in the Best Actress category. For many years, Matlin was the only Deaf nominee or winner in any category at the Academy Awards, until Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor for his role in “CODA” 36 years later.
In 1988, Matlin made an appearance on “Sesame Street,” where she performed a song with Billy Joel, incorporating sign language into the performance. This collaboration led to her being invited to feature in the music video for Joel’s song “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
Her next significant role came in the television series “Reasonable Doubts,” which she joined in 1991. She starred in the show until 1993, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. In 1992, Matlin guest-starred on “Picket Fences,” for which she won an Emmy Award.
She later became a series regular on the show until its conclusion in 1996. In 1994, she portrayed Carrie Buck in “Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story,” based on the landmark 1927 U.S. Supreme Court case, Buck v. Bell. This role marked her first portrayal of a hearing woman.
Throughout the late 1990s, Matlin took on various recurring and guest roles in popular shows such as “The West Wing,” “Blue’s Clues,” “Seinfeld,” “The Outer Limits,” “ER,” “The Practice,” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” For her guest roles in “Seinfeld,” “The Practice,” and “Law & Order,” she received nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award.
In 2004, she starred in the film “What the Bleep Do We Know!?” and hosted the 3rd Annual Festival for Cinema of the Deaf in Chicago. Over the next few years, she appeared in shows like “Desperate Housewives,” “My Name Is Earl,” “CSI: NY,” and “The L Word.” In 2008, she participated in the sixth season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
In 2009, Matlin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She also began voicing a recurring character on “Family Guy.” In 2013, she portrayed herself in the film “No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie.” By 2017, she took on a recurring role in “The Magicians” and joined the thriller series “Quantico” as a regular cast member in its third season. In 2021, Matlin appeared in the film “CODA,” which tells the story of a hearing girl with Deaf parents, and she played one of the parents in the film. “CODA” won the SAG Award for Best Ensemble.
Beyond her acting accomplishments, Matlin has authored several books. In 2002, she published her first novel, “Deaf Child Crossing,” which draws loosely on her childhood experiences. A few years later, she released a sequel titled “Nobody’s Perfect,” which was produced on stage in Washington, D.C., in 2007.
In 2009, she shared her life story in her autobiography, “I’ll Scream Later.” Matlin’s contributions to literature and film highlight her versatility and commitment to sharing her unique perspective with the world.
Personal Life
Marlee Matlin married Kevin Grandalski, a police officer, in August 1993. The couple first crossed paths while she was filming “Reasonable Doubts.” At that time, Grandalski was assigned to provide security for the studio and manage traffic. Together, they have four children: Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, and Isabelle.
In her 2009 autobiography, “I’ll Scream Later,” Matlin candidly shares some of the challenges she has faced throughout her life. She opens up about her struggles with drug abuse and how she achieved sobriety with the help of the Betty Ford Center. Additionally, she reveals that she endured physical abuse from William Hurt during their two-year relationship in the 1980s.
Matlin is actively involved in several charitable organizations, including Easter Seals, the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, VSA Arts, and the Red Cross. Throughout her life, she has been a passionate advocate for the rights of Deaf individuals.
She even testified before the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources to support the creation of the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders. Matlin’s dedication to advocacy and her charitable work reflects her commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
