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Aug. 19, 2005
Marlee Matlin launches CJA
Actress shares how Judaism helps her deal with adversity.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
This year's Combined Jewish Appeal (CJA) theme is "Live Generously."
So it's appropriate that actor Marlee Matlin – who could be
said to live her life by that motto – will launch the Jewish
Federation of Greater Vancouver's CJA campaign next month.
Matlin told the Independent that her remarks at the CJA opening
event will reflect the "Live Generously" theme, which
she helped develop.
"As a hearing impaired woman who has overcome a great number
of adversities, some of which happened after I won the Academy Award
[in 1987], I will outline how my Jewish heritage and upbringing
helped me deal with obstacles," said Matlin in an e-mail interview.
"The principles of Judaism, of tikkun olam [repair of
the world], allowed me to be where I am today. My story is meant
to be an inspiration for others to live as generously as my parents
allowed me to live and to help others in less fortunate situations."
Born and raised in Morton Grove, Ill., Matlin started acting at
the age of seven, in the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz
at a children's theatre company in Chicago. After several years
of performing on stage throughout Chicago and the midwest, she was
discovered in a Chicago stage production of Mark Medoff's Tony Award-winning
play Children of a Lesser God. Following an extensive international
search for the lead role, the producers of the film version selected
her to star opposite William Hurt.
Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her role in Paramount
Pictures' Children of a Lesser God and she won the Academy
Award for best actress for it, as well as several other honors.
Since then, Matlin has appeared in more than 30 films or television
shows and won numerous awards for acting. She has appeared in a
number of musical performances, including performing the American
national anthem in American Sign Language with Garth Brooks at Super
Bowl 27 in 1993. She has also been involved in a number of educational
and children's programs. In 2002, she published a novel for children
entitled Deaf Child Crossing, which was released in paperback
in 2004.
"My career choices, though not entirely dictated by my religious
beliefs, were guided by some people very important in my life, all
of whom were Jewish," Matlin said. "My parents are one
[major influence] and the second is my mentor, Henry Winkler, who
told me when I was 13 that I should follow my dreams and not let
anyone or anything stand in my way."
In addition to being an author and an actress, Matlin has done extensive
volunteer work. She currrently serves as celebrity spokesperson
for the American Red Cross, as well as serving on the board of the
Children Affected by AIDS campaign. She also serves on the boards
of a number of charitable organizations, including Easter Seals,
the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, as well as other
charities which primarily benefit children. Matlin has appeared
in numerous commercials and public service announcements benefiting
charitable organizations.
Matlin told the Independent she does such work because of
the spirit of tikkun olam, of giving back, that runs as strongly
through her family as it does through the Jewish community where
she grew up.
"Not only did my parents make sure I was a bat mitzvah,"
she explained, "but they used my example to encourage others
to see their children as fully functioning members of the community,
children who might otherwise be left out of the mainstream because
of a disability."
Currently, Matlin is promoting a series of videos for babies and
toddlers called Baby Wordsworth, part of the highly acclaimed
Baby Einstein series of videos.
"In Baby Wordsworth, I teach signing to babies, a novel
approach to communicating with your children before they are able
to speak and one which is sweeping the nation," she explained.
This fall, Matlin returns to The West Wing as pollster Joey
Lucas in several episodes featuring Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda campaigning
for president. This will be the seventh season on the show for Matlin,
who lives in the greater Los Angeles area with her husband, law
enforcement officer Kevin Grandalski, and their four children, Sarah,
Brandon Joseph, Tyler and Isabelle.
Matlin speaks at the opening event of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Vancouver's CJA campaign on Thursday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., at Schara
Tzedeck Synagogue. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at
www.jfgv.com,
by phone at 604-257-5100 or in person at Suite 200 in the Jewish
Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 950 West 41st Ave. A limited
number of tickets may be available for free to those on limited
incomes – contact the Jewish Family Service Agency at 604-257-5151
for more information.
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