From Struggle to Strength: Marlee Matlin Finds Support in Henry Winkler After Turbulent Relationship

Marlee Matlin turned to her mentor, Henry Winkler, after ending a tumultuous relationship with actor William Hurt. In her new documentary titled “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” the Oscar-winning actress reflects on her trajectory toward Hollywood stardom while recounting the difficult moments of her past.

After parting ways with Hurt, Matlin sought solace from Winkler, the beloved star known for his role in “Happy Days.” She claimed that her former co-star exhibited a troubling pattern of behavior, which she described as abusive. William Hurt, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 71, had a significant impact on Matlin’s life.

The 59-year-old actress, who is deaf, expressed through an interpreter that reaching out to Winkler was an obvious choice during a time of crisis. “He didn’t make it hard for me to reach out to him,” Matlin shared. “It was like an open door—an open door to his heart and my heart. And he knew that.”

Matlin continued to elaborate on the significance of their bond, stating, “He knows that he’s done that to a lot of people. But to have that close relationship, I was just very, very fortunate. I don’t think if I had Henry in my life, I would be here. I don’t think I would’ve made it this far.”

Reflecting on Abusive Past

Matlin and Hurt shared the screen in the 1986 film “Children of a Lesser God,” where Matlin played a deaf woman embarking on a romance with a hearing-speech teacher. At 19, she starred opposite a much older Hurt, aged 35, amidst a backdrop of complex emotional challenges.

Despite facing numerous difficulties, Matlin credited Hurt for prompting her to seek help. After exhausting her cocaine and marijuana supplies in their New York City apartment, she took a critical step towards recovery by checking into the Betty Ford Center.

However, upon completing rehab, Matlin realized that returning to her previous relationship was not feasible. “I walked out of that house and never went back,” she expressed in the documentary.

A Safe Haven with Henry Winkler

Winkler’s support proved crucial as he encouraged a sober Matlin to visit him and his wife, Stacey Weitzman, at their California residence. It was there that they could comfortably reconnect and converse, which Matlin embraced.

Winkler recounted the moment Matlin knocked on his door. “’I just broke up with my boyfriend,’” he remembered her saying. “’Can I stay with you just for the weekend?’ ‘Sure. Stace, what do you think?’ ‘Of course.’” His willingness to help resulted in a two-year stay, filled with care and support.

Matlin felt embraced by Winkler and his family. “They took me in as if I were one of their own,” she remarked.

Winkler noted that at that time Matlin was not entirely herself, but he offered invaluable advice. He told her, “If you know what you want without ambivalence, if you’re clear about what you want, everything else will fall into place.”

Transformation and New Love

Matlin began to heal and eventually found love, marrying police officer Kevin Grandalski in 1993 at Winkler’s home. “You just knew,” Winkler recalled about their bond. “This is different. This is where a home is made. There was no other place for her to get married, except in our yard, in her home away from home.”

Their connection goes back to when Winkler first encountered a 12-year-old Matlin during a Chicago variety show. Reflecting on that day, Winkler recalled Matlin’s mother expressing concerns about her daughter’s pursuit of an acting career. Winkler, however, felt compelled to support Matlin instead.

Lasting Impact of Mentorship

Winkler’s friendship and mentorship has endured for decades, an experience Matlin values deeply. “Anyone who has that kind of mentor would understand how essential he was to me,” she stated. “He provided a place for me to feel safe.”

Matlin shared her appreciation for Winkler’s belief in her abilities, noting how he helped cultivate her self-confidence. “I was so fortunate that I was one of the people that he really cares about, truly cares about, genuinely cares about,” she said.

Matlin’s admiration extended to Winkler’s fame and generosity. “He was probably one of the most famous people in the world at times,” she noted. “So, who would’ve thought that he would take the time and give attention to someone like me, the little girl that I was when he met me?”

Confronting the Past

While Matlin’s past includes painful memories, she doesn’t shy away from discussing them. In her memoir, published in 2009, titled “I’ll Scream Later,” she opened up about being molested as a child and the abuse she experienced during her relationship with Hurt.

Reflecting on her experiences, Matlin expressed how she had no knowledge of the resources available to help at the time. “I didn’t know that you could ask for help,” she admitted. “I was hoping that somebody would come. But no one did while I was screaming.”

Hurt later issued an apology, acknowledging the pain he caused and expressing a wish for Matlin and her family only good fortune. This sentiment underlines the complex dynamics of their relationship.

Breaking Barriers and Speaking Out

Matlin’s journey continues as she bravely shares her story, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Director Shoshannah Stern, who worked on the documentary, commended Matlin for her courage. Stern, who is also deaf, highlighted the importance of understanding the unique experiences of individuals within the deaf community.

As efforts to spotlight abuse persist, Matlin remains committed to proving her critics wrong. “I was determined to show that I’m a deaf woman who loves acting as much as anybody else,” she declared. “I didn’t get into this business for nothing. It was a dream come true. So why shouldn’t I be able to do another film?”

With her experiences shaping her resolve, Matlin articulated a sentiment of strength, knowing she is capable of effecting change. The resilience she has built along the way serves as an inspiration to many, especially those facing their challenges.