A new documentary released at select theaters on June 20, tells the story of trailblazing deaf actor, author and activist Marlee Matlin. The documentary, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” marks the directorial debut of Shoshannah Stern, a deaf actor best known for her work on “Supernatural,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Weeds.”
Matlin won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her film debut in “Children of a Lesser God” when she was just 21. She remains the youngest actor and the only deaf actor to win in that category. In 2022, deaf actor Troy Cotsur won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for that year’s Best Picture, “Coda,” which costarred Matlin. The title of the new documentary is a reference to Cotsur’s win and the fact that Matlin is no longer the only deaf actor to win an Oscar.
In addition to her Academy Award, Matlin has also been honored with a Golden Globe Award, nominations for a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actor’s Guild award and four Primetime Emmy Awards. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009.
Matlin’s television acting credits include “Reasonable Doubts,” “West Wing,” “The L Word,” “Switched at Birth” and the voice of Stella on “Family Guy.” She made her Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of Spring Awakening.
In addition to her acting work, Matlin is an advocate for the deaf and disabled communities. She was especially active in the fight to convince streaming services to offer closed captioning to deaf and hard of hearing viewers.
“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” is groundbreaking on several fronts. Unlike many documentaries about living celebrities, it doesn’t shy away from chronicling the more painful details of Matlin’s life. For example, the film is candid about Matlin’s struggles with addiction and her reportedly abusive relationship with the late William Hurt, her much older costar in “Children of a Lesser God.”
Even more unprecedented is the way “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” exposes viewers, deaf and hearing to American Sign Language. Matlin’s story is told without voiceovers, using only closed captioning. Film viewers are thus immersed in the same experience as deaf viewers have when they watch a film.
At present, the documentary can be seen in select theaters, mostly in large cities such as New York and Los Angeles. It is also available for rent or purchase at Fandango At Home. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film will begin streaming on September 9, 2025.
