print story |  email storylast updated: 11/4/2004

First deaf actress to receive Oscar makes new movie

 ABC7 Video Clip

There's never a dull moment for Marlee Matlin who is almost 40 years old, mother of four kids, with four Emmy nominations, a production company and a new movie.

"I try to find time for things that I love to do and that I believe in doing and just sort of squeezing up the smallest space and time I have in my busy day and making use of it," said Matlin.

In her film debut, "Children of a Lesser God," Matlin played a maintenance worker at a school for the deaf. Her co-star William hurt played a teacher and her lover.

Most of the characters she has played since that movie are hearing impaired.

"Well I don't think it would be right for me to play a character where they would have perfect hearing and perfect speech but I have played roles where I played someone that could hear but not speak well," said Matlin.

"What The Bleep Do We Know" is Matlin current movie. She plays the protagonist and heroine.

"It has to do with the mixture of quantum physics and the power of positive thinking," said Matlin.

Two years ago, she wrote her first book "Deaf Child Crossing."

"It's based loosely on my childhood growing up in Chicago and I'm writing the second novel right now. I'm in the middle of it," said Matlin.

She has also established Solo One Productions, which develops movies and television projects.

"One for the Disney channel called 'Eddy Million Dollar Cook-Off' and one for Lifetime, as well as we have other projects in development," said Matlin.

She came back to Chicago to appear at the 3rd Annual Deaf Film Festival to support Liz Tannebaum, her best friend's project.

"It's important to have a form for deaf actors, directors and filmmakers and to have a place where they can show off their craft in this business," said Matlin.

For 19 years, Jack Jason has been Matlin's interpreter and business partner.

"We have separate offices and that what's makes the relationship work well," said Matlin.

She still calls Chicago her home.

"Everytime I come out of O'Hare and I take that first breath of Chicago air I mean my whole childhood just comes back to me " I Really Love Chicago. There is no place like Chicago," said .

I asked Marlee who her favorite actor to work with. She didn't have a particular favorite but she likes working with the cast on West Wing.

You can see the ABC7 report by clicking on the video icon above.  You will need Windows Media Player to view this video. You can get it FREE by clicking here. NOTE: Video clips will only be available for 5-days from the date they were created. ALSO: Video clips will play in a separate window on Mac OS X machines, you may also see a video help screen.

 SEARCH FOR RELATED ITEMS