Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin is an American actress and author, best known for her groundbreaking role in the 1986 film "Children of a Lesser God," for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress—making her the first deaf performer to receive this honor. Born in 1965, Matlin is fluent in American Sign Language and has actively advocated for the deaf community and representation in media. In addition to her film work, she has appeared in various television shows, including "The West Wing" and "Dancing with the Stars." Matlin's contributions have greatly raised awareness about deaf culture and accessibility in the arts.