Marlee Matlin has always been a trailblazer, never shying away from speaking her truth. From her groundbreaking Oscar win in 1986, which made her the only deaf woman in history to take home the prestigious award, to her recent role in the critically acclaimed film CODA, Matlin’s presence in Hollywood has always been more than just her acting chops—it’s about her ability to create space for herself and her community.
But, at the 2022 Academy Awards, Matlin had a moment she had been eagerly anticipating. When CODA took home the Best Picture award, alongside a Best Supporting Actor win for Troy Kotsur, Matlin expected to be part of the spotlight. She had hoped this would be her moment to speak out on behalf of the deaf community and share a message that had been weighing heavily on her heart. But, in a turn of events that left her disheartened, Matlin didn’t get the opportunity to speak when the Oscar was awarded to CODA.
In the newly released documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Matlin opens up about her deep disappointment. "I was very upset when it went down," she confesses in the doc. "I wanted to say thank you for supporting my community and my culture." Her words speak volumes, not just about the missed opportunity, but about the larger implications of what it means for a deaf actor to have their voice heard—or in this case, silenced.
The documentary features a powerful moment from the Oscar ceremony when producers Philippe Rousselet and Patrick Wachsberger accept the Best Picture award for CODA. As the camera captures their emotional acceptance speech, Matlin, seated near the stage, rises to make her way to the microphone. But just as she is about to speak, the mic begins to descend, signaling the end of the moment. This missed opportunity for her to address the audience at one of the most significant moments of her career wasn’t just frustrating—it was a moment of recognition lost, at least for the time being.
Backstage, Matlin shared with a reporter what she had hoped to say. For over three decades, she was the only deaf actor to win an Oscar, a title she had carried with a mixture of pride and sadness. While it was an honor, it was also a reminder of how limited the representation of deaf individuals in Hollywood was. But when CODA won Best Picture and Troy Kotsur became the first deaf actor to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Matlin’s words carried a different weight. As she explained to the reporter, “I wanted to say I’m not alone anymore.”
This sentiment captures a deeply personal and cultural shift that had been decades in the making. Actress Lauren Ridloff, who also appears in the documentary, shares insight into the emotional significance of those words. In American Sign Language, the words “only” and “alone” are strikingly similar in appearance, making the distinction between the two even more profound. For Matlin, the term "only" had never been a celebratory one—it was a label that reminded her of the isolation she often felt in an industry that largely excluded deaf talent. But with the success of CODA and the growing presence of deaf voices in film, that label had finally begun to shift.
Matlin's involvement in CODA was also pivotal behind the scenes. Her dedication to making the film as authentic as possible led to her pushing for deaf representation in all aspects of the production. In the documentary, Matlin reveals that she took a bold stance when it came to casting. The role of Troy Kotsur’s character was initially envisioned for a hearing actor, but Matlin wasn’t having it. “They wanted an A-lister for the role,” she says. “I said, ‘If you cast a hearing actor, I’m out.’” It was a rare move for her to make such a firm demand, but it paid off in ways no one could have imagined.
Director Shoshannah Stern, who worked closely with Matlin on the project, says that Matlin's decision to stand firm on the casting was one of the most crucial moments in the film’s success. "When I watched CODA win the Oscar, I was watching Marlee," Stern reflects. "And waiting and looking forward to what she was going to say on stage. Clearly, she had something to say in that moment. And CODA would not be what it was if it wasn’t for Marlee standing up and saying, 'If you make other decisions, I’m not going to be a part of it.' And then to see how huge of a success CODA is, the largest part is due to her." Stern continues, "To see her not be able to have the opportunity to speak, it’s sad."
While Matlin did get to speak at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where CODA had received a warm reception, the Academy Awards ceremony presented a different kind of disappointment. "I did get to talk at the Screen Actors Guild Awards," Matlin acknowledges in the documentary. "I was very grateful to have that opportunity, but at the Oscars, I thought I would have the chance to tell my story briefly on the stage on behalf of the deaf community, but unfortunately, I wasn’t given that chance."
For many, the missed moment wasn’t just about Matlin’s personal disappointment—it was symbolic of the larger issue of deaf representation in Hollywood. The moment when CODA won Best Picture was monumental not just for the film’s success but for the deaf community at large. Matlin had hoped to use that moment to address the years of exclusion and invisibility that deaf actors and filmmakers had faced in the industry. But the reality was far different.
Stern, who had been waiting anxiously for Matlin to speak, recalls how the moment felt like a lost opportunity. "I wanted to see what Marlee was going to say," Stern explains. "And then I found that backstage clip when Marlee says, ‘I’m not alone anymore.’ That captures a huge theme in the film that is usually one that deaf people have—experiencing moments together. And I knew that had to be the title."
The title of the documentary, Not Alone Anymore, is more than just a reflection of Matlin’s personal journey—it’s a message to the world. It’s a statement of unity, strength, and progress. For the first time, the deaf community was being seen, heard, and celebrated in mainstream Hollywood. And as Matlin’s words from backstage reverberated, they echoed the significance of a moment not just for her, but for an entire community.
At the end of the day, CODA's Oscar success marks more than just a moment of triumph for its cast and crew. It represents a shift in the way the industry views and represents deaf culture. And for Marlee Matlin, it’s a reminder that, even in moments of silence, her voice—along with the voices of many others—will continue to be heard.
The story of Marlee Matlin is far from over. Her journey has paved the way for future generations of deaf talent to take their rightful place on the big screen, and she remains a vital part of that movement. As CODA continues to inspire and change the landscape of Hollywood, Matlin’s unwavering dedication to her craft and her community will be remembered as a driving force behind that transformation. After all, she’s not alone anymore.
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