Screen Talents Overcoming Auditory Barriers: 17 Inspiring Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Performers

The relationship between Hollywood, sound, and the deaf community has been multifaceted. Silent films offered a universally accessible experience for all audiences, whether deaf, hard-of-hearing, or hearing. However, with the advent of sound as a cornerstone of international cinema, equitable access for individuals with hearing impairments was unfortunately diminished.

Presently, there's a resurgence in accessibility within cinemas, evidenced by captioned showings for select films and an increase in narratives that include deaf and hard-of-hearing characters. But what of the performers who embody these roles, as well as roles of hearing individuals?

While they may not always capture extensive mainstream media focus, numerous actors active today are deaf or hard-of-hearing, earning acclaim and accolades for their compelling portrayals. This feature spotlights 17 such individuals, continuing our exploration of notable figures from the deaf community. You can also explore stories of other influential deaf individuals who made a global impact and celebrated deaf and hard-of-hearing musical artists elsewhere on our platform.

Nyle DiMarco

Nyle DiMarco gained widespread recognition after his victory on America’s Next Top Model in 2015. “A fact often overlooked is that my entire family is deaf,” DiMarco shared with Yahoo Life. “I represent the fourth deaf generation in my family, which includes my two brothers, my parents, my grandparents, and even my great-grandparents.” Consequently, American Sign Language (ASL) is DiMarco's native tongue, although he is also proficient in English and skilled in lip-reading. In 2013, he played a principal role in In the Can, an independent movie by American Sign Language Films. Subsequently, in 2015, America’s Next Top Model approached him. “I initially doubted their readiness to feature a deaf contestant,” DiMarco recalled. “Nevertheless, I submitted my audition, entirely in sign language with captions for full accessibility, and they were impressed.” DiMarco also triumphed on Dancing with the Stars in 2016. He has leveraged his prominence to advocate for deaf culture and improved accessibility.

Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin remains, to this day, the sole deaf actor to receive an Academy Award. Her illustrious career spans almost five decades, highlighted by the critical success of her leading role in Children of a Lesser God (1986), which garnered her both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Identified with profound hearing loss at merely 18 months old, Matlin possesses only 20 percent hearing in one ear and is entirely deaf in the other. During her childhood, Matlin was part of a synagogue for the Deaf, where she studied Hebrew phonetically and learned her Torah portion for her Bat Mitzvah. She began performing in children's theatre from the age of seven with the Center on Deafness in Chicago. Matlin is now a prominent voice for disability awareness.

Linda Bove

Linda Bove is an American deaf actress who achieved renown as Linda the Librarian on the cherished children’s program, Sesame Street. Through this role, Linda introduced sign language to millions of children and fostered greater understanding of Deaf culture. Portraying the character for over three decades, Bove holds the distinction of the longest-tenured role on American television for an individual with a disability. Bove's deaf parents were unsurprised by her deafness at birth. At age three, she was enrolled in St. Joseph School for the Deaf in New York. She later pursued studies in library science and developed a keen interest in theatre. It was at the National Theatre for the Deaf that Bove encountered fellow deaf actor Ed Waterstreet, whom she later married. Both have been deeply committed to theatre arts for the deaf community, with Linda co-founding the Little Theatre of the Deaf.

Millie Bobby Brown

Star of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown, experiences deafness in one ear. Born with partial hearing loss in one ear, the condition has intensified over time, resulting in complete deafness in her right ear. Brown consistently captivates audiences with her portrayal of the powerful and enigmatic Eleven in Stranger Things. In May 2020, Brown was recognized on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people, being the youngest individual to date to earn this honor. In November 2018, she also became the youngest person appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Jane Lynch

American actress, voice artist, singer, author, and comedian Jane Lynch, celebrated for her character Sue Sylvester in the TV series Glee, is entirely deaf in her right ear. She attributes her deafness to a severe fever in infancy that caused nerve deafness. However, Lynch only became aware of this at age seven while playing with her brother and a transistor radio.

CJ Jones

Remarkably, actor, comedian, writer, and director CJ Jones was one of seven hearing children born to deaf parents who communicated using ASL. Jones himself lost his hearing at seven years old due to spinal meningitis. He is widely recognized for his significant role in the 2017 successful film Baby Driver, where he co-stars with Ansel Elgort as his deaf foster father. Beyond acting, Jones established the International Sign Language Theater Festival and has produced several one-man shows with international tours, along with Once Upon a Sign, which reinterprets classic fairy tales for children’s television.

Russell Harvard

Born deaf, Russell Harvard is an American actor whose major film debut was alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in the critically lauded There Will Be Blood. Harvard hails from a third-generation deaf family; both his parents and his paternal grandmother are deaf. While Harvard can perceive some sound with a hearing aid, he identifies as deaf and regards American Sign Language as his primary language. Among Harvard's many distinguished performances, he received the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance for his portrayal of Billy, the deaf son in an intellectual yet dysfunctional hearing British family, in the 2012 Off-Broadway production of Tribes by Nina Raine.

Sean Berdy

Born deaf, Sean Berdy is an actor, comedian, writer, and producer acclaimed for his leading role as Emmett in the television series Switched at Birth. He found early success with his notable role in The Sandlot 2, playing Sammy "Fingers" Samuelson. Berdy is bilingual, fluent in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. In the Netflix series The Society, Berdy's character communicates with others using ASL. Berdy mentioned that his co-stars learned ASL from a coach during evenings and weekends, stating, “I’m so proud of the cast. It’s not easy and they’re doing a great job on the show.” From a young age, Berdy has been an engaged member of the deaf community, earning the Mr. Deaf Teen America title in 2010. This honor enabled him to travel nationwide, promoting awareness for deaf individuals and Deaf culture. Besides acting and activism, Berdy has a strong interest in magic, having previously won the top award for young magicians at the World Magicians Festival in St. Petersburg.

Millicent Simmonds

Award-winning American actress Millicent Simmonds became deaf following a medication overdose when she was just 12 months old. Her mother learned American Sign Language and subsequently taught the entire family. Simmonds attended the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, where she was active in its drama club. Her passion for acting flourished, and at only 14, she secured a breakout role in Wonderstruck (2017). Simmonds then appeared in the horror film A Quiet Place with Emily Blunt and John Krasinski. As the film’s narrative heavily relies on sign language, the cast learned it to communicate effectively.

Daniel Durant

Actor Daniel Durant is a notable talent emerging from Waterstreet’s Deaf West Theater. The esteemed Los Angeles theater discovered Durant through his YouTube videos, casting him in several productions, which then led to his role in the TV series Switched at Birth. Born deaf to deaf parents, Durant later lived with an aunt who learned American Sign Language to communicate with him. Initially attending a mainstream local school, Durant truly thrived after transferring to the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, where he discovered his passion for theater. Durant has garnered critical praise for his performance in the stage production of Spring Awakening. He remains a dynamic presence in the deaf community, utilizing social media to engage with people globally and to raise awareness about deaf issues and culture.

Halle Berry

Academy Award laureate Halle Berry is hard-of-hearing, having lost 80 percent of her hearing in her right ear as a result of domestic violence from a former abusive partner. Berry has since become a vocal advocate for reducing domestic violence, openly sharing her own experiences. She has achieved considerable success in her career, starring in numerous major films. As of 2020, Berry is still the only African-American woman to have won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her performance in Monster's Ball.

Rob Lowe

Esteemed actor Rob Lowe has been completely deaf in his right ear since infancy due to an undiagnosed virus. The Hollywood celebrity has enjoyed several decades in the public eye, rising to fame in the 1980s with roles in films like The Outsiders, series such as The West Wing, and more recently, Parks and Recreation.

Stephen Colbert

The host of the critically acclaimed Late Show, Stephen Colbert, is entirely deaf in his right ear. A surgical procedure to repair a perforated eardrum altered the shape of Colbert's ear and resulted in inner ear damage.

William Shatner

Canadian actor William Shatner, widely known as Captain Kirk, developed tinnitus following a pyrotechnics accident while filming an episode of the iconic Star Trek series. Tinnitus involves perceiving a ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears, which can be constant or intermittent and is often linked to hearing loss. After this incident, Shatner started using a small device that produced white noise to help divert his brain's attention from the persistent ringing caused by tinnitus. Shatner serves as a spokesperson for the American Tinnitus Association, advocating for individuals affected by the condition and for finding effective solutions.

Whoopi Goldberg

Beloved actress, comedian, and Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg uses hearing aids due to hearing loss she suspects stemmed from attending loud concerts and events during her youth. She frequently advises people to lower speaker volumes to avoid a similar outcome. In 2015, Goldberg adopted a dog that is both deaf and blind.

Kiefer Sutherland

British actor Kiefer Sutherland, best known for his role in the series 24, also experienced hearing loss on set. He has reported being "pretty much deaf in one ear, and half deaf in the other" after numerous roles involving gunfire and explosions. He noted, “I can’t wear ear plugs because often you have dialogue after, so you need to hear the other actor.” He now wears hearing aids in his daily life and is also a country music musician.

Lou Ferrigno

Lou Ferrigno is an American actor and former professional bodybuilder, most famous for portraying The Hulk in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ferrigno lost 80 percent of his hearing soon after birth due to improperly treated ear infections. He has worn hearing aids since age five and taught himself to lip-read. Reflecting on growing up with hearing loss, Ferrigno credits his experiences with bullying as a source of the strength that drove him to train intensely. He won the Mr. Universe title twice, in 1972 and 1973, and is the youngest person ever to achieve this. Ferrigno is a dedicated supporter of the deaf community through various charities and frequently speaks on deafness, the deaf community, deaf education, and overcoming challenges.

The Future of On-Screen Representation

While Hollywood is gradually adapting, these distinguished actors represent just a fraction of the talent pool. Immense opportunities exist for authentic representation of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in television and film. The industry simply needs to actively pursue these possibilities. These performers have been trailblazers in numerous ways, and many are also strong advocates for others within the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

The entertainment sectors, encompassing television and film, are progressively understanding the importance of making content accessible, though comprehensive implementation is an ongoing journey. Advocating for universal accessibility is crucial. Innovations in technology are playing a pivotal role. For instance, platforms like DeepVo.ai offer powerful solutions, such as highly accurate speech-to-text conversion (achieving up to 99.5% accuracy across over 100 languages), which is fundamental for creating reliable captions for diverse media. Furthermore, features like AI-driven summaries, generated in seconds and customizable, can help audiences quickly grasp the essence of complex narratives or discussions, while intelligent mind maps can visually structure and clarify information, all exportable for wider use. Exploring these advanced, often free and securely encrypted, services on DeepVo.ai can significantly enhance how we create and consume media, making it truly accessible for everyone.