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Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin

Actor, also producer · Born August 24, 1965 (61) · Morton Grove, Illinois, USA

Marlee Bethany Matlin (born August 24, 1965) is an American actress. She is the youngest woman and the only deaf actress to date to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she won at age 21 for Children of a Lesser God.  Her work in film and television has resulted in a Golden Globe award, with two additional nominations, and four Emmy nominations. Deaf since she was 2 years old, she is also a prominent member of the National Association of the Deaf.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 24, 1965 (61)
From
Morton Grove, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
47 on MovieCove · 65 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 44% in 30 days

What are Marlee Matlin's films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Thriller3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies
Short2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Short movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
26%
Morality
17%
Bonds
16%
Society
15%
Survival
12%
Ideas
8%
Power
6%
Identity11 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 27 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 22 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 13 · Intense 6

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 14 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Shapeshifter: 4 of 13 analyzed roles.

Shapeshifter
4 of 13
Ally
4 of 13
Hero
3 of 13
Mentor
2 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Hopeful
12
Contemplative
10
Melancholic
9
Warm
9
Other
18

How their films linger

Hopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous5
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Marlee Matlin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 47 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Marlee Matlin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

65 credits, 47 with a MovieCove page; 26 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Siren: The Voices of Shelley Beattie(2025)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Accused(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Multiverse(2019)

    as Dierdre

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • CODA(2021)

    as Jackie Rossi

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Feeling Through(2019)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Connecting the Dots: The Story of Feeling Through (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Executive Producer

  • This Close (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as Annie

  • Gone(2017)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Magicians(2015)

    Show 8 episodes · as Harriet

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Quantico(2015)

    Show 13 episodes · as Jocelyn Turner

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Some Kind of Beautiful(2014)

    as Cindy

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Cosmos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Annie Jump Cannon (voice)

  • Foreclosed(2013)

    as Ally Turner

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Excision(2012)

    as Amber

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Switched at Birth(2011)

    Show 41 episodes · as Melody Bledsoe

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Glee(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Marlee Matlin

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Sweet Nothing in My Ear(2008)

    as Laura Miller

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Dispatches from Nicaragua (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole(2006)

    as Amanda

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • My Name Is Earl(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ruby Whitlow

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Baby Einstein: Baby Wordsworth - First Words Around The House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Alisa Stevens

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • CSI: NY(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Gina Mitchum

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • What the #$*! Do We (K)now!?(2004)

    as Amanda

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The L Word(2004)

    Show 32 episodes · as Jodi Lerner

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • I'm with Her (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Marlee Matlin

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Shapiro

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off(2003)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Askari(2001)

    as Paula McKinley

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Kiss My Act (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Casey

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Ann Polton

  • Gideon's Crossing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Holden

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Two Shades of Blue(1999)

    as Beth McDaniels

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 17 episodes · as Joey Lucas

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Amy Solwey

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Eliza Spears

  • Where the Truth Lies(1999)

    Executive Producer · as Dana Sue Lacey

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • When Justice Fails(1999)

    as Katy Wesson

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Chicken Soup for the Soul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • In Her Defense(1999)

    as Jane Claire

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · as Stella (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Freak City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Cass

  • Dead Silence(1997)

    as Melanie Charrol

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Sally Berg

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Spin City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah

  • Blue's Clues(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • It's My Party(1996)

    as Daphne Stark

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Jennifer Winter

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Against Her Will: The Carrie Buck Story(1994)

    as Carrie Buck

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sign Language Instructor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Sweet Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 22 episodes · as Brianna Holland

  • Hear No Evil(1993)

    as Jillian Shanahan

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Picket Fences(1992)

    Show 9 episodes · as Laurie Bey · as Mayor Laurie Bey

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Marlee Matlin

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Player(1992)

    as Marlee Matlin

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Adventures in Wonderland(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as April Hare

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Reasonable Doubts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 44 episodes · as ADA Tess Kaufman

  • The Linguini Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Jeanette

  • The Man in the Golden Mask(1991)

    as Sœur Maria

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Laura

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Bridge to Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Peggy Lawrence

  • Walker(1987)

    as Ellen Martin

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Children of a Lesser God(1986)

    as Sarah Norman

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Holly

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 64 titles, 63 of them dated from 1986 to 2023; peak year 2021.

Biggest box office

Children of a Lesser God (1986)

$32M worldwide

Highest rated

CODA (2021)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Switched at Birth (2011)

Film career

19862023

Peak 2021 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 64: 59 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rdDirecting1 of 64: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing4 of 64: 3 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s26 · 26 acting · 1 crew2000s19 · 18 acting · 1 crew2010s11 · 9 acting · 2 crew2020s3 · 2 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 31% of 13 roles
8601

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Marlee Matlin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 27 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Reach · how many have seen their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 27

Midcredits score across 47 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 47 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (2004)

91st percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

CODA (2021)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 21 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Marlee Matlin's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and violence & gore and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles15–61 · median 18 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles39–71 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles45–70 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles37–54 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles14–67 · median 29 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Marlee Matlin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Marlee Matlin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Troy Kotsur shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles