Marlee Matlin’s Documentary Delves into Her Journey Through Addiction and Abuse

Marlee Matlin has the word “perseverance” inked on her left wrist and “warrior” on her right. These tattoos encapsulate the life and career of the talented actress, who has been deaf since she was 18 months old, and an inspired advocate. “I look at them often,” she shares in a poignant scene from the documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, produced and directed by Shoshannah Stern, who is also deaf.

At 59, Matlin has consistently overcome criticism. Reviews of her memorable debut performance in 1986’s Children of a Lesser God were mixed, ranging from clueless (one critic described her “silent world” as “strange and frightening”) to harsh (calling her Oscar nomination “wasted”). “I’m very loud,” she proclaims in the documentary. “And within myself, my mind is never silent.” Critics predicted she would not work again, suggesting she won her Oscar due to sympathy, and even faced backlash from the deaf community after presenting at the Academy Awards while only voicing the nominees’ names without signing.

Throughout the negativity, Matlin’s family has been her anchor. By her side for over 30 years is her hearing husband, Kevin Grandalski, a police officer and “wonderful guy.” They have two sons and two daughters in their 20s, along with a 13-month-old granddaughter. “I just really am the luckiest woman on earth,” she beams.

The radiant Matlin recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Us Weekly to share some of her greatest highs and lows.

A Dangerous Habit

Matlin’s “rebellious” period began at 15: “I was into drugs and boys,” she recalls in the documentary. By her 20s, she was struggling and decided to seek treatment at what was then called the Betty Ford Center. “I used up everything I had in my bedroom—my coke, my pot… The next day, I got sober and flew there.”

“I fought to persuade them to cover the cost of an interpreter, but they said no, I had to find a way. It was expensive, but I refused to give up because I knew I needed help. I needed rehab. [She achieved sobriety on January 10, 1987.] I take it one day at a time, as they say. That’s my approach. I reflect on it frequently. I discuss it openly. I simply do my thing.”

The Pain of Love

Matlin met her Children of a Lesser God co-star, the late William Hurt, when she was 19 and he was 35. They became romantically involved, and “the love was deeply intense.” However, their arguments escalated to physical altercations — her interpreter, Jack Jason, remembers hearing screams and furniture breaking — eventually evolving into a pattern of abuse, according to Matlin.

“I didn’t know any better back then. I hadn’t heard terms like ‘domestic violence,’ or ‘drug addict,’ or even ‘rehab’ — where you could seek help. I was young and lacked opportunities to overhear discussions like hearing people do, so I had to navigate life entirely on my own.” This illustrates one of the documentary’s central themes: language deprivation.

“When I won my Oscar, I was experiencing a mix of emotions — fear of Bill, knowing he wasn’t happy for me. If I could talk to my younger self, I would say to just embrace that moment and relish every feeling, every bit of applause.”

Happy Days

Henry Winkler attended a play at Matlin’s school when she was 12, sparking an unexpected yet delightful 40-year friendship. After her breakup with Hurt post-rehab, she lived with the Winklers for two years. “That family welcomed me as if I were one of their own,” she reminisces. They even hosted her wedding in 1993!

“He’s genuine, transparent, and straightforward. He’s been a father figure and a mentor to me. I treasure our friendship. Whenever I seek advice, he readily offers it, always reminding me to believe in myself. It’s challenging, but he supports me wholeheartedly.”

Full-Circle Triumph

For the 2021 indie dramedy CODA, the studio sought an A-list actor to portray her husband. Matlin took a stand: “I had the courage to insist that if they cast a hearing actor to play deaf, I was out.” She got her way, and in 2022, Troy Kotsur won an Academy Award.

“Troy is a fantastic guy, one of the most humorous and talented actors I know. When I read the script, he was the first person who came to mind. I practically shouted his name. It took far too long for another deaf actor to win an Oscar, but it finally happened. I couldn’t be happier.”

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore hits theaters on Saturday, June 20.