Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin is widely recognized for her impactful keynote speeches, addressing diverse audiences worldwide. In her presentations, she shares the challenges and successes of her career in Hollywood and her advocacy work. As a champion for diversity and inclusion, Matlin encourages her audiences to promote acceptance and accessibility for all individuals, emphasizing the importance of living without judgment. Her talks are designed to inspire change and empower individuals to take action, starting with small, personal commitments.

Matlin's debut in the film "Children of a Lesser God" won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the youngest recipient at age 21 and one of only four actresses to win for a film debut. She also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama for the same role. In recent years, Matlin continued to achieve recognition in the film industry. She was nominated as an Executive Producer for the Live Action Short, "Feeling Through," in 2021. Her Apple TV+ film "CODA" won Best Picture at the 2022 Academy Awards, among other accolades.

In addition to her achievements in film, Matlin has made significant contributions to television, appearing in shows such as "Seinfeld," "The West Wing," and "The L Word," and earning four Emmy nominations. She expanded her directorial skills by directing an episode of the Fox TV anthology drama "Accused" in 2022, becoming the series' first Deaf director. Matlin has also engaged with audiences through other mediums, starring on ABC’s "Dancing with the Stars," developing the "Marlee Signs" app to teach American Sign Language, and authoring books including her New York Times best-selling autobiography, "I’ll Scream Later."

Throughout her career, Matlin has been an active participant in various civic and advocacy efforts. She was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Corporation for National Service in 1994 and joined President Barack Obama at the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2010. Her continued commitment to the arts and advocacy is evidenced by her election to the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2022, representing the Actors Branch.

Matlin's journey is a testament to her resilience and dedication to breaking barriers, continuously proving that her abilities extend far beyond the limitations imposed by her hearing loss. She firmly believes in seizing opportunities—"The only thing I can’t do is hear. The rest is there for the taking.”