Marlee Matlin Biography Marlee Beth Matlin was born on August 24, 1965, is an American actress. Deaf since she was 18 mos. old, she is the youngest woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, w/c she gained at the age of 21 for Children of a Lesser God. She has also said she is a proud member of the National Association of the Deaf. Marlee Matlin Bio Matlin appeared on ... more.