Marlee Beth Matlin is an American actress, author, and deaf activist. For playing Sarah Norman in the romantic drama film Children of a Lesser God, she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, becoming the only deaf performer to have won an Academy Award as well as the youngest Best Actress winner.
Matlin's work in film and television has resulted in a Golden Globe award, with two additional nominations, and four Emmy nominations. Deaf since she was 18 months old, due to illness and high fevers, she is also a prominent member of the National Association of the Deaf. Her longtime interpreter is Jack Jason.