News Summary
Pioneering actress Marlee Matlin shares her cherished childhood memories and Sunday traditions while preparing for her new documentary. She emphasizes her Chicago roots, advocacy for the deaf community, and her lifestyle in Los Angeles, highlighting activities she enjoys on Sundays, including visits to local institutions and quality time with family.
Los Angeles – Marlee Matlin, the pioneering actress who became the first deaf actor to win an Oscar at the age of 21, recently reflected on her upbringing in the suburbs of Chicago while sharing insights into her ideal Sundays in Los Angeles. As she prepares for the launch of her new documentary, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” set to be available on demand starting August 22, Matlin emphasized the importance of her Chicago roots and how they shape her current life in California.
Growing up in a close-knit family, Matlin cherished Sundays as a dedicated family day. Her family’s tradition included meeting close friends for breakfast at a local deli, followed by various seasonal activities such as apple picking or attending Chicago Cubs games. The day culminated in what Matlin describes as “takeout Sundays,” which brought everyone together for a relaxed evening meal.
In recent years, Matlin has gained recognition for her openness about her life experiences, including her struggles with addiction and sexual abuse. The forthcoming documentary aims to showcase not just her career, which includes her Academy Award-winning role in “Children of a Lesser God,” but also her personal journey, featuring intimate details that resonate with her audience. Matlin selected longtime friend and fellow deaf actor Shoshannah Stern to direct the project, marking a collaboration that speaks to the shared experiences within the deaf community.
Matlin has been an advocate for closed captioning laws in television since the 1980s, marking her commitment to improving accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. While she embraces her identity as a “California girl,” she remains proud of her Chicago heritage, even sporting a tattoo of the Chicago skyline on her forearm.
Currently, Matlin enjoys life as an empty-nester with her husband, Kevin Grandalski. Her typical Sunday in Los Angeles includes various activities that reflect her lifestyle. She begins her day by rising at 6 a.m. to care for her pets, followed by a breakfast routine that usually features oatmeal topped with brown sugar and blueberries, occasionally indulging in turkey bacon. After breakfast, Matlin emphasizes the importance of making her bed immediately, kicking off her day with tidiness.
On Sundays, she enjoys visiting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, taking long walks at the Rose Bowl, and supporting local businesses, particularly female-owned boutiques. She appreciates exploring Descanso Gardens or cheering for the Dodgers during a game. Her Sundays are often filled with meaningful experiences, as she frequently spends late afternoons with her 14-month-old granddaughter, delighting in her granddaughter’s exploration and curiosity about the world.
Matlin’s passion for cooking shines through on Sundays as well. She often consults her collection of cookbooks to experiment with new recipes. Should the desire to cook wane, she takes pleasure in grabbing pizza from Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock, a local favorite. During weekday evenings, she winds down by playing backgammon with her husband, aiming for a restful end to her day by going to bed around 9:30 p.m.
With a career spanning decades and groundbreaking achievements in representation for underrepresented communities, Marlee Matlin continues to inspire others while embracing her past. Her journey not only highlights her personal milestones but also the cultural significance of her work and advocacy, making her story relevant and impactful for a diverse audience.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Marlee Matlin’s Ideal Sundays
- Wikipedia: Marlee Matlin
- ABC7 Chicago: Marlee Matlin’s Unique Storytelling Documentary
- Google Search: Marlee Matlin
- Roger Ebert: Marlee Matlin – Not Alone Anymore
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Marlee Matlin
- CBS News: Marlee Matlin on Making Noise
- Google News: Marlee Matlin
