With credits in major projects like The West Wing, Children of a Lesser God, Switched at Birth and Reasonable Doubts, Marlee Matlin has a lot to look back on as she turns 61.
The actress, who has been deaf since the age of 18 months, has made history throughout her career, being the first deaf person to win an Academy Award, the youngest woman to win the Best Actress Award at the Oscars, as well as being one of only four women to have earned the accolade for their debut feature film.
© NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesMarlee is four-time Emmy nominee
Who is Marlee Matlin?
Marlee is also a four-time Emmy nominee, thanks to her work on shows like Seinfeld, Picket Fences, The Practice and Law & Order: SVU, and along the way she's also picked up a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
It's not just acting that the screen icon is known for, as Marlee is also an advocate for the deaf community, famously only accepting roles if producers commit to captioning the films for deaf audiences. She has been the ACLU's celebrity ambassador since 2015, and she even earned herself a prize at the Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards in 2014.
However, one of the star's proudest achievements will no doubt be her four children, Sarah, 30, Brandon, 25, Tyler, 24 and Isabelle, 22. Here's all you need to know about the Matlin brood…
© Getty ImagesSarah considered a star turn
Sarah Grandalski
Marlee and her husband, Kevin Grandalski, welcomed their first child on 19 January 1996, with the arrival of baby Sarah coincidentally happening on the same day as the airing of an episode of Picket Fences showing Marlee's character, Laurie Bey, delivering her own baby.
Sarah initially planned to follow in her mother's footsteps, however Sarah instead entered the world of fashion and sales and currently works for the designer boutique Dover Street Market Los Angeles. Sarah became a mum herself in 2024, welcoming a daughter, named Brooklyn, with influencer and designer Frankie Trun.
© InstagramBrandon likes to keep his life private
Brandon Grandalski
Marlee and Kevin welcomed their first son on 12 September 2000, but Brandon is a little different from his siblings, with the 25-year-old opting to remain private on his social media instead of allowing fans into his life.
However, we do know that Brandon is incredibly sporty, initially attending Emerson College in order to play soccer. The aspiring sportsman decided to change his major to focus on a more backroom role, studying public relations alongside advertising and communication studies at Marquette University.
At his graduation ceremony in 2023, Marlee gave the commencement speech, and while many might be embarrassed by their mum giving the speech, Brandon loved the moment.
"She has been the best," he told Marquette Today. "She is and always will be me and my siblings' biggest supporter. Love the lady. It's not every day that someone can say their mom will be the commencement speaker, so I am truly going to relish the moment."
© Getty ImagesIs Tyler a nepo baby in the making?
Tyler Grandalski
Marlee and Kevin had their third child on 18 July 2002, and Tyler might be the child who follows his mum into the world of showbusiness. He studied at DePaul University, taking a degree in screenwriting.
The 24-year-old has had a taste of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, joining Marlee at the 2024 Oscars. He looked incredibly handsome in a black tuxedo, as he enthused: "A night I'll always remember. @Themarleematlin thank you so much for letting me be your plus one! Until next year!!"
© InstagramIsabelle completes the family
Isabelle Grandalski
Isabelle is the youngest of Marlee and Kevin's family, and she completed the brood on 26 December 2003. Isabelle has become a social media sensation thanks to her TikTok channel, even recruiting her father for some of her videos.
It's currently believed that the 22-year-old is studying at the University of Oregon.
