Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

AMERICAN MASTERS: Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

Learn about the life and career of 4-time Emmy nominee Marlee Matlin as she shares her story in her native American Sign Language. Known for roles in THE WEST WING and CODA, at 21 years old, Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Oscar.

Premieres Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream with KPBS+ / Encores Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2

The documentary takes a closer look at Marlee Matlin’s life as a groundbreaking performer, whose meteoric and tumultuous rise to fame started in 1987 when she became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award for her role in "Children of a Lesser God." At the age of twenty-one, Matlin was thrust into the national spotlight, becoming for many Americans the first Deaf person they saw on TV and overnight becoming the de-facto representative of the Deaf community.

Marlee Matlin biography and career timeline

Advertisement

Article: 10 of Marlee Matlin’s most memorable film and television roles

Marlee Matlin visits the house she grew up in Morton Grove, Illinois and shares stories from her childhood, including how she became the only Deaf person in her family at 18 months old.

"Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore" boasts never-before-seen home video filmed over the course of Matlin’s 37-year career by her longtime interpreter and producing partner Jack Jason—including footage of Matlin behind the scenes on the sets of some of her most iconic roles including "Children of a Lesser God," THE WEST WING and SEINFELD.

Marlee Matlin refused to allow a hearing actor to play her Deaf husband in the Academy Award-winning 2021 film “CODA,” and for the first time in her career, warned that she would exit the film if a Deaf actor wasn’t cast. Troy Kotsur ended up with the role that would eventually win him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

For the first time in her own language, Matlin will reflect on her relationship with actor William Hurt, her place in the Deaf community, her fight for roles and accessibility in Hollywood and what it means to be “the first.”

Marlee Matlin was struggling with drug addiction and domestic abuse from her partner at the time, William Hurt. After she completed rehab, her friend Henry Winkler took her in for two years while she continued to recover. “That family took me in as if I were one of their own,” said Matlin. “I’ll never forget that.”

Watch On Your Schedule: KPBS+ is a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.

You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience).

Advertisement

Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.

Fact-based local news is essential

KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.

Without federal funding, community support is our lifeline.
Make a gift to protect the future of KPBS.