Matlin was born on 24 August 1965 in Morton Grove, Illinois, to Libby and Donald Matlin, an automobile dealer. She lost all hearing in her right ear, and 80% of hearing in her left ear at the age of eighteen months. She was raised in a Jewish family in Morton Grove, Illinois. Matlin graduated from John Hersey High School in nearby Arlington Heights and attended Harper College.

Matlin made her stage debut at the age of seven, as Dorothy in a children's theatre version of The Wizard of Oz, and continued to appear with the same children's theatre group throughout her childhood.

Her film debut, 1986's Children of a Lesser God, brought her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama and an Academy Award for Best Actress. She is one of the few actors to win an Oscar Read more...

Matlin is actively involved with a number of charitable organizations, including the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, VSA arts, and the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet. She was appointed by President Clinton in 1994 to the Corporation for National Service and served as chair of National Volunteer Week.

Matlin received an honorary doctorate of humane Read more...