Oscar winner Marlee Matlin inspires students at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind

Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin said it can be hard finding roles for deaf actors in Hollywood. Acting requires a lot of work, but it has been worth it for her.

The actress talked to a group of students at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind on Wednesday, March 1. Matlin was in Spartanburg to kick off Women's History Month in an evening program hosted by the group Determined To Soar at Converse University.

But the highlight of the day was her visit to the school, where she let students ask her questions instead of just giving a speech. One student asked her about her favorite roles she has played over the years, and Matlin mentioned playing the mother in the 2021 movie "CODA."

"I enjoyed acting over the years and playing different characters," Matlin said. "Some were challenging and some were a lot of fun. I loved playing Jackie Rossi on 'CODA' because I got to sign exclusively as my character and I was able to work authentically with other deaf actors. I enjoy my work in general, I always have."

"CODA" focuses on a deaf family in Massachusetts struggling to keep their fishing business thriving. The daughter is the only hearing member of the family and has to help her family with the business. Matlin and her co-stars won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Matlin's most notable performance was in her debut in the 1986 film "Children of a Lesser God," in which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She is also widely known for her activist position in seeking greater representation for the hearing impaired in the film industry.

"It's a lot of work, and it doesn't come easy," Matlin said in regard to her challenges in Hollywood. "Characters developed for deaf actors aren't necessarily applicable. They have to think about the creating and writing, figuring out how they're going to be incorporated."

Another student asked Matlin what her experience was like on the ABC show, "Dancing with the Stars." Matlin appeared in the sixth season and finished in seventh place.

"I danced and danced and danced, but I couldn't hear the music," Matlin said with a laugh. "I had to do it in heels! It was a challenge for sure, but my dance partner danced and I followed along. I was a puppet, basically, but I had a lot of fun."

Students were fascinated by learning about Matlin's experiences. When she was talking on stage, the auditorium was silent and everyone had their eyes fixated on Matlin. Students became delighted at the end of the program when she was walking out and greeted the faculty and students. She also took Selfies and talked with them before leaving.

Toby Allen, 12, said Matlin inspired him and he wants to continue pursuing his dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer. He is a member of the school's robotics team, The Ninja Hornets, which recently won the national championship in Alabama.

"I felt inspired today, and I'm happy I got to sit and enjoy it," Allen said. "I'm going to continue pursuing my goals, but I feel like my dreams are what I want to accomplish. I want to work with mechanical engineering, I like the challenge of building things and making them work."

Matlin's discussion regarding her career as someone who is hearing impaired allowed students to realize that opportunities are not limited for them either.

"It's a big world out there," Matlin told students. "If you have a dream, goal or passion then write it down. Put them all on paper no matter what they are. You can be anything. Keep at it and when you're in college, you'll find that other experiences are out there too. Connect with whatever makes you feel good and pursue it."

Students walked out of the assembly with a burning passion to let nothing hold them back. Some students were even inspired to go into acting, telling Matlin they too wanted to be a star someday.

Alasia Pifher, 19, said she is looking forward to what the world has to offer after graduation.

"I'm very, ready to graduate and get out into the real world, and just make something out of my life," Pifher said. "I really got intrigued with the whole conversation [with Matlin]. Learning about her experience and the motivation she has, and not backing down to the stereotypes we [deaf community] have. It's tough out there, we know that, but just pursuing and getting that accomplishment betters yourself. Just do it, and don't back down."

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: SC School for the Deaf and the Blind students meet actress Marlee Matlin