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Many celebrities feel like social media is the bane of their existence, but this isn’t the case for Marlee Matlin. The 52-year-old Oscar winning actress, currently starring the soon-to-be cancelled show Quantico, spoke with First For Women magazine about her love for online communication, noting that:
“Facetime is a big factor in leveling the playing field for me. And texting and social media – Twitter and Instagram come to mind. They ensure that I’m communicating with 100-percent access, which wouldn’t have happened 20 years ago.”
In fact, Marlee recently used Twitter to announce that a documentary she produced, called Deaf Out Loud, will air on A&E in September. The show tells the stories of three predominantly deaf families and how they choose to raise their children in a hearing world.
I'm proud to announce that "Deaf Out Loud" a documentary pilot I produced with @BunimMurray about three different deaf families premiers on @AETV September 5 after the finale of @BornThisWayAE. The trailer is coming! Meanwhile, put it on your calendars!! https://t.co/El5f4092Di
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) June 19, 2018
Marlee also used the platform to express her sharp sense of humor. She’s making me like her so much that I might have to watch Quantico again, until the bitter end.
Dear @TelevisionAcad, first, you rock. Second, thank you for asking but I don't think I'm the right person to be asked to judge the category of "Character Voice-Over Performance and Narrator." PS Good luck to all the nominees! #FYC #Emmys70 #Emmys2018 pic.twitter.com/A6wzlwTB6B
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) June 12, 2018
Hey @MGM_Studios I see that you're putting together a celebrity voice cast for the new animated #AddamsFamily film, including @CharlizeAfrica & @AllisonBJanney. I'd be happy to offer myself up as the voice of Thing… 🤣 pic.twitter.com/h9UnETKWHL
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) June 5, 2018
In the interview, Marlee also talked about being a voice for other disabled actors and performers, saying, “Every day I go on television or make a movie is a statement to Hollywood that says, ‘I can do it, other people can do it too.’”
Marlee is certainly an inspiration, and she recalled being the first deaf woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in 1987’s Children of a Lesser God, telling the magazine,
“I remember thinking, ‘Did he read the name correctly from the envelope?’ because I wasn’t sure. I thought they must have made a mistake because of all the wonderful actresses nominated in that category…Jane Fonda, Sigourney Weaver, Sissy Spacek, and Kathleen Turner. It was incredible.”
She is an inspiring actress and my latest Twitter followee, especially after gems like this. Girl’s got jokes.
Yanni or Laurel? Don't ask me. I can't hear sh*t
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) May 17, 2018
Photos: Getty Images
You as stupid as I think social media can be it never occurred to me how useful it could be for people with disabilities. I always liked Marlee. She has a great sense of humor.
Yeah, I remember this Russian coach of a deaf girl said that the slant towards texting (especially with Whatsapp) helped her daughter to feel like a normal teacher, because she was able see and react to what’s being written.
Thank you for this, Corey. I’m legally blind and when I hear people bitching about their smart phones or tech/the internet in general I just smh. There’s no way to describe the insane amount of access I have now compared to what I had in 2008.
I saw Marlee Matlin act in a hearing impaired version of Spring Awakening a few years ago on Broadway. It was interesting to watch, the deaf actors would sign the words to dialogue/songs while an offstage actor would either sing or speak the dialogue so the non hearing impaired people in the audience could understand. They used a bunch of techniques so that deaf and hearing members of the audience could enjoy the show. During intermission in line at the bathroom I was surrounded by people signing to each other, it was pretty cool!
Still love her from her West Wing days. I’m so glad she’s doing well.
Love Marlee! Remember how thrilling it was when she was on The L Word.
@Corey: Did you mean you are following Marlee or Marlee is following you?
She was just divine on the L Word. I love her.