Marlee Matlin: The Youngest Oscar Winner in History
Since the inception of the awards in 1929, a number of records have been established, but one appears to be particularly astonishing: Marlee Matlin is still the youngest figure to ever win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Marlee Matlin was born to parents Ellie and Donald Matlin in Morton Grove, Illinois. In 1965, the Matlins welcomed their first child but tragically, at just 18 months, their daughter lost her hearing due to a combined illness. Matlin was honored for her performance as Sarah Norman in the movie Children of a Lesser God (1986) at the age of 21 non-years and 218 days. On a serendipitous note, its director Randa Haines also made history, becoming the first ever woman to win an Academy Award over a Deaf performer.
The Bad Film That Won An Oscar Out Of Tact Calamity
The Oscars, held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in LA on March 30th, 1987 was history making – quite literally. The award was presented to Matlin by none other than her co-star from Children of a Lesser God, William Hurt, who declared the news to the world through sign language.
“She directed glance right towards me and seemed not which rather entered looking number me but then put alternate her wrist to sign my name” “I mean matter didn’t get ready even a single sentence. Not one rather. I’s only young woman diffusing and the industry quite fresh. I was sheer kids” Matlin later on explained.
“I had simply made it out of the house, and I think that was scarier than anything.”
Pushing Boundaries
Marlee Matlin’s win was remarkable not only because of her age but also because it threw the issue of representation into the heart of Hollywood. Audiences were moved and critics noted her performance as a deaf woman falling in love and trying to communicate in the emotionally driven movie, ‘Sarah Norman’.
Matlin, now 58, continues to author books, act and engage in activism. Her remarkable biography and professional show business career, is an irrefutable proof of her talent as well as her uncompromising, joyful, and passionate struggle for the rights of the deaf community.
Youngest Oscar Nominee in History
In other news, although Matlin holds the record of being the youngest Best Actress awardee, the title of the youngest person ever to receive an Oscar nomination goes to 8-year-old Justin Henry, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979).