‘West
Wing,’ deaf actress discusses struggles
By Jill Thomsen
On-line Forty-Niner
Academy
Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin will
be on campus today to sign copies of her
debut novel, “Deaf Child Crossing” — a fictional
story of two friends, one of whom happens
to be deaf.
Deaf since the age of 7, Matlin drew from
her own experiences and emotions growing
up in a “hearing” society to bring “intimate
insights into being American, female and
deaf, infusing the character of Megan, a
charming, dynamic, and cantankerous girl,”
according to Kirkus Reviews.
Barnes and Noble says the novel “teaches
us about friendship, differences, and patience.”
Campus bookstore tradebook buyer Cheryl
Langdon says the actress decided to come
to Cal State Long Beach after hearing about
the active Disabled Students Services department
on campus.
Today’s event will include a brief talk
about Matlin’s experiences writing her first
novel and will include a question and answer
session. The book-signing event will take
place at The Pointe convention space in
The Pyramid and will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Matlin, who earned the 1986 Best Actress
Oscar for her role in “Children of a Lesser
God”, has also earned three Emmy nominations
for guest roles on various television shows
including “Seinfeld.”
She currently plays pollster Joey Lucas
on NBC’s “The West Wing.”
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