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Marlee Matlin’s Love Story: The Journey of How She and Kevin Grandalski Fell in Love
Marlee Matlin, the Oscar-winning actress, is also a wonderful mom to four kids: Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, and Isabelle.
She tied the knot with Kevin Grandalski back in the early 90s after they met while filming the TV series Reasonable Doubts. Kevin was a local police officer in Burbank, California, and on that day, he was attending to traffic near the filming location when their paths crossed.
Marlee narrated the lovely story of how it all began to the Los Angeles Times: “I became friends with a lot of cops, and one day I got to work and saw my friend in uniform and I went up and gave him a big hug and he stiffened up and I realized it was the wrong cop. Because of course they all look the same with their moustaches. And my friend sees this and goes, ‘Stay away from him.’ ‘No, no. You think I’m going to listen to you?’ And the rest is history.”
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Marlee Matlin on Raising Four Children with Different Dreams and Life Paths
Marlee Matlin and Kevin Grandalski’s wedding took place at the Los Angeles home of Marlee’s long-time friend Henry Winkler on August 29, 1993. Nearly three years after the couple started their family of six.
Marlee, while promoting the Oscar-winning movie CODA in February 2022, told Extra how she and Kevin are able to encourage each of their children’s unique walks.
“I have four kids and I have known them very well throughout their growing up and I have seen that each one of them had their own dreams,” she told. “I think it’s fun to watch the kids figure out what is it that they want to choose, what path they want to go on, how they want to deal with everything in their lives, the choices that they make, so I get it and I followed my dreams.”
The four children of the couple are Sarah, Brandon, Tyler and Isabelle.
Sarah Rose Grandalski, 30: Marlee Matlin’s Eldest Child
The couple Marlee and Kevin brought their firstborn, daughter Sarah Rose Grandalski, into the world on Jan. 19, 1996. Interestingly enough, Sarah’s birthday is the same day an episode of Picket Fences was aired, where Marlee’s character, Laurie Bey, was shown giving birth.
Sarah has always been her mother’s number one fan and a great source of support. On occasion, she’d also accompany Marlee to the premieres and events. While Marlee was a contestant at season 6 of Dancing with the Stars, 12-year-old Sarah was her biggest cheerleader from behind the scenes and would attend the shows along with her father.
Sarah confessed to PEOPLE in 2008, “She worries and goes ‘I might get eliminated,’ and I’m like ‘There’s no way. You’re good,’ ”
Right then, Sarah was eager to be an actress like her mom. While Marlee was participating in the show, the actress noticed Sarah dancing and called her “M-I-T” in a sweet way, which meant “Marlee in Training.”
Sarah, however, has delved into the areas of fashion and sales. She resides in Los Angeles and is employed part-time as a visual merchandiser at the designer boutique Dover Street Market Los Angeles, as per LinkedIn.
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Sarah Grandalski Has a Baby; Marlee is Excited About Becoming a Grandma
Sarah and her mother had a close relationship even when they stopped doing things together publicly, and they are now bonded with matching tattoos. The two women, Sarah, and Marlee, have the American Sign Language sign for “I love you” inked on the backs of their ears.
“Since her mother is deaf, she wanted to connect with me,” Marlee told Allure.
Around the end of April 2024, Sarah gave birth to a little girl, Brooklyn Rose Garriola. Marlee had revealed the pregnancy through a video on Instagram where she gently placed her hand over Sarah’s belly and signed “It’s a girl” in American Sign Language.
Marlee told PEOPLE, “There really is no way to put into words the feeling of becoming a grandparent for the first time.”
She added, “The love for the child completely overwhelms you in the most wonderful way.”
Consequently, Marlee has been sharing her happiness on social media with her growing family. “Am I not the luckiest to have both my daughter AND granddaughter?” Marlee quipped in a post that featured a picture of Sarah with the little girl, Brooklyn Rose. “Just feels so good.”
Marlee Had a Private Son: Brandon Joseph Grandalski, 25
Marlee and Kevin became parents to their second child, a boy, Brandon Joseph Grandalski, on September 12, 2000.
Brandon is unlike his brothers and sisters as he has kept himself away from the public eye and has not been active on social media. His one and only red carpet moment was when he was 8 years old, and it was Marlee who took all her family members to accept her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2009.
Sports are the main interest of Brandon as per his LinkedIn account. He played varsity soccer all four years in high school (La Cañada Flintridge, California) and was the associated student body commissioner in his senior year.
Brandon was initially enrolled in Emerson College to play soccer in 2020. However, he later transferred to Marquette University where he completed his major in public relations and a minor in advertising and communication studies.
Brandon’s graduation from Marquette in 2023 is a special and meaningful memory because Marlee was the commencement speaker for his class. After finding out that his mother is to be the keynote speaker, Brandon said he was “so happy”.
Brandon Grandalski Thanks Mom Marlee for Being His Pillar of Strength Ahead of Graduation
Brandon Grandalski is vocal about his love and admiration for his mother, Marlee Matlin, and their tight bond. In fact, just before he graduated from Marquette University in the year 2023, he was talking about the importance of his Mom Marlee being the one giving the commencement speech.
“She’s the biggest inspiration in my life and I’m sure this will be a huge inspiration for everyone else too,” Brandon expressed to WTMJ‑TV Milwaukee before the ceremony.
In an interview with Marquette Today, he also expressed his happiness, saying, “She has been so wonderful. She is, and will always be, the number one supporter of me and my siblings. Love that lady. Not everyone gets to say that their mom is the commencement speaker, so I am definitely going to enjoy this moment.”
The affection was reciprocal. In her speech—which she signed and which was then interpreted—Marlee made a warm reference to her son. “To be recognized here as a mom is the thing I am most proud of,” she started. “I am proud of my son Brandon who is graduating today.”
At present, Brandon lives in Chicago and is part of the communications staff for the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks on game days.
Tyler Daniel Grandalski, 23: The Outdoorsy Son Who Went to the Oscars with Marlee
On July 18, 2002, Marlee and Kevin grew their family by two boys with the arrival of their son, Tyler Daniel Grandalski.
The energetic and adventurous spirit of Tyler is visible from his Instagram that showcases beach days, mountain views, and sunsets from his travels to San Diego, Boston, and Berlin. Nevertheless, he is also at ease in the celebrity world when it is necessary.
Tyler was the mother of his mom’s date for the 2024 Oscars style‑match event. Marlee donned a dazzling lavender, floor‑length gown, and Tyler complemented it with a silver‑and‑black tux carrying the lavender bow tie. “One unforgettable night,” he captioned the photos snuggled together from the 96th Academy of Oscars Laureates. “Thanks @themarleematlin so much for letting me be your plus one! Until next year!!”
Now he lives in Chicago, and he is a junior studying screenwriting at DePaul University. Prior to that, he transferred from San Diego State University, according to LinkedIn. He plans to graduate in 2025.
He is also very active in school activities, holding several leadership roles in his fraternity, Delta Kappa Alpha. These roles promote his leadership skills, help distribute funds, and provide support to his peers.
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Tyler Grandalski Chases Screenwriting and Mental Health Awareness
Tyler, like his mom, is deeply connected with the arts and promoting diversity. At DePaul University, he has participated in courses such as “Inclusive Representation in Film and Television,” “Introduction to Pitching” and “Screenwriting for Television.”
On LinkedIn in 2024, Tyler announced that he had done a short film with other film students. The matter was quite close to his heart.
He was thankful for being able to write and produce another short film last quarter, he said in a post. “The Occurring, Constant, and Deranged Life of Charlie Deeds is a story that reflects my life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which is one of my past experiences,” he wrote.
He subsequently posted a GoFundMe link and expressed gratitude to the donors. “Thank you so much for supporting this short and making it come to life,” he wrote.
Tyler Grandalski is actively involved in a combination of film studies, advocacy, and work
Tyler Grandalski hardly gets a chance to rest from the constant hustle and bustle both on and off the campus. He is actively involved with the Delta Kappa Alpha Professional Cinema Society at DePaul University that primarily concentrates on creating a close-knit community among students who are passionate about making careers in the cinematic arts.
Furthermore, he belongs to the International Thespian Society, where he is an advocate for the value of theatre in education and society by means of workshops and community events.
Besides his academic works, leadership roles and his enthusiastic advocacy, Tyler is also a dog walker on Rover.com, thus, he manages to get his studies and work through a pet-sitting and dog-walking network.
Isabelle Jane Grandalski, 22: Marlee’s Youngest Child
Marlee and Kevin’s last child, a daughter, was born on Dec. 26, 2003, and her name is Isabelle Jane Grandalski.
As a matter of fact, Isabelle, too, just like her brothers and sisters, was deeply engaged in the student life at La Cañada High School. Apart from finishing her studies with distinction, she took on roles such as cheerleading captain, secretary of the Red Cross Club, and member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as per Outlook Valley Sun.
When Isabelle finally graduated from La Cañada High School in 2022, Marlee could not resist posting several family pictures along with a long emotional caption on Instagram to show how proud she was. Marlee stated how excited and happy she was over this milestone in her daughter’s life.
“She had been a very diligent student for four years,” Marlee only partially quoted her daughter from her Instagram post. “Still it was more of an inner quality that helped her to be able to persevere, be patient, and get up each time she fell. She is the most devoted friend to many. Her humor is one of the reasons why we all laugh so much.”
Isabelle Grandalski’s TikTok Humor as Marlee Visits Her at College
TikTok is the platform where Isabelle Grandalski’s funny side is best displayed. Ever since 2019, she has been regularly putting up amusing clips that reflect the day-to-day life of high school and college kids together with friends. Sometimes, to make it more fun and engaging, she calls in her dad, Kevin, to join her in searching for trends and kick-starting TikTok challenges.
Isabelle is presently pursuing her studies at the University of Oregon and is affiliated with the sorority Beta Omega. Marlee Matlin took to social media to announce their trip to see their youngest daughter through photos after the visit in October 2022.
“@isabelle.grandalski our daughter had such a great fun weekend with us!!! Family and Parent weekend at @uoregon with the Ducks who won against UCLA football!” Marlee wrote in an Instagram carousel post. “Caught up with some old friends and we were lucky to make a few good new ones too. We did go to a Frat party! Whoa! And, yes, we did Isabelle’s laundry at the COOLEST laundromat in Eugene! So proud of our baby girl. Absolutely!”
