Marlee Matlin Quotes

Powerful Marlee Matlin for Daily Growth

About Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin, an inspirational figure in the world of cinema and television, was born on August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, Illinois. Diagnosed as profoundly deaf at the age of 18 months, she learned American Sign Language (ASL) from her parents and siblings who were also deaf. Her early life was marked by resilience and determination, as she navigated through a hearing world using ASL and a phonetic system called Cued Speech. Matlin's breakthrough came in 1986 when she starred in the film "Children of a Lesser God," for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first deaf actress to win an Oscar. This role catapulted her into the limelight and opened doors for more significant roles in both films and television. Throughout her career, Matlin has been a strong advocate for the deaf community. She co-founded the nonprofit organization, The Marlee Matlin Campus, which provides educational programs and resources for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In 1993, she was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Department of Public Information. Matlin continues to act in various roles, including her starring role on the television series "The West Wing" from 2000 to 2006. She has also authored several books, such as "Deaf Child Crossing: A Memoir" and "She's Left-Handed: My Adventures in Love." Her quotes reflect her unique perspective on life, deafness, and the power of communication. Here are a few notable ones: 1. "I think what people misunderstand is that being deaf isn't like having a hearing loss. It's like a different culture - a beautiful one with its own language." 2. "The world is full of opportunities, but you have to be open-minded and bold to recognize them." 3. "You know what's really important in life? To feel useful, to be loved for who you are, and to matter to someone." Marlee Matlin continues to break barriers and inspire millions with her powerful performances and advocacy for the deaf community.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Don't judge a deaf person by hearing or speech, but by what they can do and understand."

This quote by Marlee Matlin emphasizes the importance of evaluating people based on their abilities, understanding, and actions, rather than relying on conventional measures like hearing or speaking. It encourages inclusivity and equal treatment for individuals who are deaf or have speech impairments, acknowledging their unique capabilities and intelligence. The message underscores the idea that everyone should be appreciated for their skills, talents, and contributions to society, regardless of any physical or sensory differences.


"Deafness doesn't define me, it refines me."

This quote by Marlee Matlin signifies that being deaf does not limit or define her as a person; instead, it is an experience that shapes and molds her uniquely, making her more resilient, resourceful, and understanding in her own way. It emphasizes the idea that adversity can lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper appreciation of life.


"Being deaf has made me stronger, more resilient, and I wouldn't change it for anything."

This quote by Marlee Matlin highlights her unique perspective on disability, turning a perceived limitation into a source of strength and resilience. By being deaf, she was compelled to develop alternative ways of experiencing the world, which may have required more effort but also fostered creativity, determination, and adaptability. Furthermore, her unwavering acceptance of her condition suggests an inner confidence and self-assuredness that many hearing individuals might lack. In essence, Marlee Matlin's quote underscores the transformative power of embracing one's differences and turning adversity into opportunity for personal growth and empowerment.


"The most profound experiences are those that occur when a deaf person can communicate with a hearing person through sign language."

This quote underscores the unique, powerful, and transformative nature of communication between deaf and hearing individuals using sign language. It highlights the shared experience of connecting at a deep level, where traditional barriers of auditory communication are removed, allowing for a more intimate understanding and connection between two people. The profoundness stems from the mutual appreciation and celebration of their individual worlds converging in a common language that bridges the gap between them.


"I may have been born deaf, but I wasn't born stupid."

This quote emphasizes that one's intelligence or ability is not determined by a physical disability like deafness. Marlee Matlin, who is deaf, is asserting her intellectual capabilities despite her hearing impairment. It conveys a powerful message of resilience and determination to overcome challenges, demonstrating that disabilities do not define one's potential or intelligence.


The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.

- Marlee Matlin

Earth, Belong, Does, Environmental

I hope I inspire people who hear. Hearing people have the ability to remove barriers that prevent deaf people from achieving their dreams.

- Marlee Matlin

Dreams, Hope, Deaf, Barriers

I can hear you and I can watch your mouth move, and then I put together the sounds and the visual image, and I can understand the words as I integrate the two signals.

- Marlee Matlin

Image, Move, Visual Image, Signals

It was ability that mattered, not disability, which is a word I'm not crazy about using.

- Marlee Matlin

Mattered, Which, Using, Disability

I have a great husband, great parents and in-laws, and I have help with a nanny. It's not easy, but there are others who do it every day and don't have a high-profile job as I do.

- Marlee Matlin

Husband, Every Day, In-Laws

There are many deaf people who couldn't imagine living in a marriage without someone who doesn't speak their language. For me, I believe that hearing or deaf is fine as long as both parties are willing to communicate in each other's language. But if there's no communication, then the marriage, I believe, will be difficult if not doomed.

- Marlee Matlin

Communicate, Other, Willing, Both Parties

I know what it's like to be growing up, called 'deaf and mute' and 'deaf and dumb.' They're words that are very degrading and demeaning to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. It's almost... it's almost libelous, if you want to say that.

- Marlee Matlin

Deaf, Very, Almost, Demeaning

Google, as usual, is one step ahead of everyone and provided the means where all videos on YouTube can be automatically captioned through voice-recognition technology without having to be told that it's the responsible thing to do.

- Marlee Matlin

YouTube, Through, Means, Automatically

I'm the only one in my family who is deaf, and there are still conversations that go around me that I miss out on. And I ask what's going on, and I have to ask to be included. But I'm not going to be sad about it. I don't live in sad isolation. It's just a situation I'm used to.

- Marlee Matlin

Deaf, Used, About, Conversations

The handicap of deafness is not in the ear; it is in the mind.

- Marlee Matlin

Inspirational, Mind, Ear

I would love to do a talk show. Naturally, I would love to do more films. I'd love to be able to see casting directors more willing to put in a character who happens to be deaf. I'm not talking about doing deaf storylines, but putting in deaf characters. I'd love to be able to do Broadway.

- Marlee Matlin

Love, Doing, Putting, Talk Show

I began acting on stage when I was 7 years old. My first role was as Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz' at Chicago's Center on Deafness in Northbrook, Illinois.

- Marlee Matlin

Old, Role, Began, Wizard Of Oz

As a kid, during the school year, my head was often buried in a textbook or Judy Blume book; the words and pictures were the perfect, barrier-free environment for me.

- Marlee Matlin

Perfect, Year, Textbook, Judy

I find the mantle of, she works hard for the money, or, she's overcome so many obstacles a bit overused.

- Marlee Matlin

Obstacles, Overcome, Works, Overused

I listen to Billy Joel. He is fabulous. I saw him with Elton John when they toured together, it was so great.

- Marlee Matlin

Billy, Saw, Elton John, Elton

Looking back now, thinking about that moment in the lights, with my heart pounding, Oscar in my hand, all I can say is I am grateful and humbled - still to this day. Next to marrying my husband and the birth of my children, it is one of the best days ever.

- Marlee Matlin

Looking Back, Next, About, Pounding

The best feeling in the world is when you child just comes up to you and lays their head in your lap, for no other reason but just because.

- Marlee Matlin

Best, Reason, Other, Lays

My parents were the ones who gave me the independence, who gave me the spark to do anything that you set your mind to, as all parents should do for their kids.

- Marlee Matlin

Mind, Set, Your, Spark

I like to say that the greatest handicap of deafness does not lie in the ear, it lies in the mind. I hope that through my example, such as my role on 'The West Wing,' I can help change attitudes on deafness and prove we can really do everything... except hear.

- Marlee Matlin

Through, Prove, Role, West Wing

I hope that through my example, such as my role on 'The West Wing,' I can help change attitudes on deafness and prove we can really do everything... except hear.

- Marlee Matlin

Through, Prove, Role, West Wing

I'm particularly proud of my work with the Starkey Hearing Foundation for whom I raised a million dollars in one day on 'Celebrity Apprentice.' They do great work around the world helping deaf children in developing countries get proper attention and free hearing aids.

- Marlee Matlin

Celebrity, Hearing Aids, Million Dollars

What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with them to have me in it. But that happens with a lot of actors in Hollywood, not just with me.

- Marlee Matlin

Mind, Deaf, Hollywood, Clicked

I've always wanted to write a book relating my experiences growing up as a deaf child in Chicago. Contrary to what people might think, it wasn't all about hearing aids and speech classes or frustrations.

- Marlee Matlin

Book, Hearing Aids, Classes, Frustrations

How many deaf people do you know in real life? Unless they live in a cave, or are 14, which seems to be true for most people in this business, what could I possibly tell them that they don't already know?

- Marlee Matlin

Life, Deaf, Tell, Possibly

What parent has it easy? I just never make the difficulty of it an obstacle. I just do it.

- Marlee Matlin

Parenting, Never, Difficulty, Obstacle

Living modestly in a suburban neighborhood while trying to support four children through private school is not extravagant or living large.

- Marlee Matlin

Living, Through, Private, Neighborhood

By the time I was a teenager, my desire to be daring and taste everything got me in trouble. Too often, I was in the company of kids my parents would call 'wild.'

- Marlee Matlin

Desire, Taste, By The Time, Teenager

It seems we're always in transition and that it's more about trends than it is about what's meaningful.

- Marlee Matlin

More, Always, Than, Transition

It was my father who instilled the 'never say no' attitude I carry around with me today, and who instilled in me a sense of wonder, always taking us on adventures in the car, never telling us the destination.

- Marlee Matlin

Father, Always, Telling, Instilled

Humor comes in all forms, and everyone has their cup of tea about what makes them laugh. But the day we censor humor is a sad one for sure.

- Marlee Matlin

Everyone, Sure, About, Forms

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