Marlee Matlin Marriage: The Truth About Her Partner
- 01. Marlee Matlin's Husband: Kevin Grandalski Is Not Deaf
- 02. Key Facts About Marlee Matlin's Marriage
- 03. How They Met: A Hollywood Set Romance
- 04. Deaf-Hearing Marriage Dynamics: Communication Strategies
- 05. Marlee Matlin's Family Life and Children
- 06. Why Their Marriage Matters for Deaf Representation
Marlee Matlin's Husband: Kevin Grandalski Is Not Deaf
Marlee Matlin, the Academy Award-winning actress who is profoundly deaf, is married to Kevin Grandalski, a hearing former police officer and current law enforcement consultant. They wed on August 29, 1993, in Henry Winkler's backyard, exchanging vows in American Sign Language despite his hearing status. The couple has raised four children together and remains married as of 2026, making their union one of Hollywood's longest-lasting celebrity marriages spanning over three decades.
Key Facts About Marlee Matlin's Marriage
Understanding the dynamics of Marlee Matlin's relationship requires examining specific details about her partner and how they communicate across the hearing divide. Their marriage defies common assumptions about deaf-hearing relationships while serving as a powerful example of cross-culturalcommunication in action.
- Husband's Name: Kevin Grandalski (married since August 29, 1993)
- Hearing Status: Kevin is hearing, not deaf; he works in law enforcement
- Meeting Story: They met in 1991 while Matlin filmed Reasonable Doubts and Grandalski monitored traffic on set
- Wedding Location: Henry Winkler's (the Fonz's) backyard in Los Angeles
- Vows: Exchanged in American Sign Language per People magazine
- Children: Four kids - Sarah (b. 1996), Brandon (b. 2000), Tyler (b. 2002), Isabelle (b. 2003)
- Marriage Duration: 32+ years as of May 2026
How They Met: A Hollywood Set Romance
Marlee Matlin first encountered Kevin Grandalski during the production of the television series Reasonable Doubts (1991-1993), where she played assistant district attorney Debbie McCormick. At the time, Grandalski worked as a traffic monitor on the set, wearing his police uniform. Matlin later joked in interviews, \"I saw him, and I was hooked! It must have been the uniform\". This chance meeting sparked a romance that led to dating for approximately two years before their 1993 wedding.
Their relationship developed against the backdrop of Matlin's rising fame following her historic 1987 Oscar win for Children of a Lesser God. Unlike her previous tumultuous relationship with co-star William Hurt (which lasted two years and involved allegations of violence), Matlin's connection with Grandalski proved stable and enduring.
Deaf-Hearing Marriage Dynamics: Communication Strategies
One of the most frequently asked questions about Marlee Matlin's marriage concerns how she and her hearing husband communicate effectively. Their approach demonstrates practical solutions for deaf-hearing partnerships.
- American Sign Language (ASL): Matlin's primary language; Grandalski learned ASL to communicate fluently
- Wedding Vows in ASL: They exchanged vows entirely in sign language, symbolizing mutual commitment to communication
- Interpreters: For public events and media appearances, professional interpreters facilitate three-way communication
- Visual Cues: The couple relies heavily on eye contact, facial expressions, and body language
- Family Integration: All four children learned ASL from birth, creating a fully accessible home environment
Matlin is profoundly deaf, with 100% hearing loss in her right ear and approximately 80% loss in her left ear. She lost most of her hearing at 18 months due to a fever and remains the only deaf member of her family. Despite this, she has never required cochlear implants and communicates primarily through ASL and lip-reading when necessary.
Marlee Matlin's Family Life and Children
The Grandalski family represents a blended approach to deaf and hearing identities, with all four children raised bilingually in both English and ASL. Their birth timeline shows the family grew steadily throughout the 1990s and early 2000s:
| Child's Name | Birth Year | Gender | Full Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah | 1996 | Female | Sara Rose Grandalski |
| Brandon | 2000 | Male | Brandon Joseph Grandalski |
| Tyler | 2002 | Male | Tyler Daniel Grandalski |
| Isabelle | 2003 | Female | Isabelle Jane Grandalski |
Kevin Grandalski transitioned from active police officer duties to law enforcement consulting after marriage, allowing more flexibility for family life while maintaining his connection to public service. This career adjustment supported Matlin's demanding acting schedule, which included roles in The West Wing, Seinfeld, The Practice, and the 2021 Oscar-winning film CODA.
Why Their Marriage Matters for Deaf Representation
Marlee Matlin's marriage to a hearing partner challenges stereotypes about deaf relationships while demonstrating that successful partnerships transcend auditory differences. As the first and only deaf performer to win an Academy Award for Best Actress (until Troy Kotsur's 2022 supporting actor win), Matlin's personal life receives significant attention from the deaf community and allies alike.
\"I saw him, and I was hooked! It must have been the uniform,\" Matlin joked about meeting Kevin Grandalski.
Their relationship exemplifies how mutual adaptation enables deaf-hearing marriages to thrive. Grandalski's willingness to learn ASL, Matlin's advocacy for accessibility, and their shared commitment to raising bilingual children create a model for inclusive family dynamics. This approach contrasts sharply with Matlin's earlier relationship with William Hurt, which she described as \"tumultuous and sometimes violent\" in her 2009 autobiography I'll Scream Later.
Today, Matlin continues her advocacy work through documentaries like Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore (premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival), which explores her experiences as a deaf actor while highlighting her stable family life with Grandalski. Their enduring marriage stands as testament to love transcending sensory differences through intentional communication and mutual respect.
What are the most common questions about Marlee Matlin Marriage The Truth About Her Partner?
Is Marlee Matlin still married to Kevin Grandalski?
Yes, Marlee Matlin remains married to Kevin Grandalski as of May 2026. They have been married for over 32 years since their August 29, 1993 wedding, making their union one of Hollywood's most enduring celebrity marriages.
Is Kevin Grandalski deaf like Marlee Matlin?
No, Kevin Grandalski is hearing, not deaf. He is a former police officer who learned American Sign Language to communicate with Matlin after they met in 1991.
How did Marlee Matlin and Kevin Grandalski meet?
They met in 1991 on the set of Reasonable Doubts, where Matlin starred as an assistant DA and Grandalski worked as a traffic monitor in his police uniform. Matlin later said she was immediately \"hooked\" by his appearance.
Did Marlee Matlin and Kevin Grandalski exchange vows in sign language?
Yes, they exchanged their wedding vows entirely in American Sign Language at their August 29, 1993 ceremony in Henry Winkler's backyard, demonstrating their commitment to accessible communication.
How many children do Marlee Matlin and Kevin Grandalski have?
They have four children together: Sarah Rose (born 1996), Brandon Joseph (born 2000), Tyler Daniel (born 2002), and Isabelle Jane (born 2003). All were raised bilingual in English and ASL.
What is Marlee Matlin's hearing loss level?
Matlin is profoundly deaf with 100% hearing loss in her right ear and approximately 80% loss in her left ear. She lost most hearing at 18 months due to a fever and is the only deaf member of her family.