By AOL Editor Dori Fern
I caught up with Marlee Matlin, star of 'The West Wing' and soon-to-be cast member of Showtime's 'The 'L' Word,' last week on the Bergenfield, N.J., set of ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' where she was serving as guest host.
Matlin was chosen by AOL and Dove to be honorary CEO and keynote speaker at The 2nd Annual Chief Everything Officer Awards, being held today -- May 17, 2006 -- at New York City's Gotham Hall: a thrilling culmination of three wonderful months of programming. I have been fortunate, indeed, to have crossed paths with the most incredible women, from Marlee Matlin to Felicity Huffman to our just-as-impressive lineup of CEO Contest Prize Winners: Kristine Bailey, Shelly Hall, Stephanie Whalen, Judy Winter and Katie Thomas.
Matlin was chosen by AOL and Dove to be honorary CEO and keynote speaker at The 2nd Annual Chief Everything Officer Awards, being held today -- May 17, 2006 -- at New York City's Gotham Hall: a thrilling culmination of three wonderful months of programming. I have been fortunate, indeed, to have crossed paths with the most incredible women, from Marlee Matlin to Felicity Huffman to our just-as-impressive lineup of CEO Contest Prize Winners: Kristine Bailey, Shelly Hall, Stephanie Whalen, Judy Winter and Katie Thomas.
I wasn't surprised by how down-to-earth Matlin was -- this mother of four has been married to police officer Kevin Grandalski since 1993, a lifetime in Hollywood years, for goodness sake! I was expecting her to be as she is: truly grateful for her life, humbled to be named AOL's Honorary CEO and thrilled to be leading the efforts to help the Llanes family of Bergenfield.
This family of six (including grandma Isabel), most of whom are either sight or hearing impaired, got their house rebuilt from the ground up by 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' and filled with cutting-edge technology to make their lives considerably easier (as Matlin says, "They aren't disabled -- it was their house that was." Tears flowed at the big unveiling -- even the big, burly photographer standing next to me kept having to wipe his eyes in between shots.
That said, I could not ever have predicted that I would one day be sitting face-to-face with the lovely Ms. Matlin, in her trailer eating Domino's pizza. In between bites of microwaved pizza and sips of Red Bull, here's what she had to say about her hosting duties and about being a wife, mom and (chief) everything (officer) in-between.
How has it been, hosting a television show?
This has been a completely different role for me! I've never hosted a show before, I've only hosted parties! It's a serious job. You have to make sure everyone's on time, make sure you get everyone's name right -- just like any CEO would!
How's your own family holding up without you?
This is the longest -- 10 days -- that I've ever been away since my kids were born. I was home with them for eight years before I went back to work. My oldest, Sarah (10), is upset. We had a long talk before I left. I said "Mommy is responsible for your school and clothes," and she's like [she rolls her eyeballs and waves dismissively, preteen style], "Whatever." So then I add, "I also have to pay for your iPod nano," so THEN she's like, "OK, when are you leaving?"
The boys (Brandon, 5 1/2 and Tyler, 3 1/2) don't get it yet. My youngest, Isabel (2), has demoted me. I was the queen, but I've been demoted to princess. She's ready to assume my position.
But I don't need to worry with Kevin in charge as my CFO -- my Chief Father Officer! I don't have to worry about homework and test results and studying ... but I do anyway! I'm constantly in touch with everyone by instant messaging on AIM. My husband is also extremely talented at the silliest things. Can you believe he knows how to french braid hair and I don't?!
[To which Marlee's longtime sign translator and manager, Jack Johnson, chimes in "Oh, his cop buddies are going to love that!"]
Do your kids know what you do for a living?
Sarah's getting a little aware, but I don't trot my kids out. I'm not into having my kids photographed. It's not about them.
What do you have to say to people who think you are disadvantaged because you are deaf
Dana Reeve said, "Don't hide from who you are or what you have." Difference makes life interesting. It's not about being disabled. It's about having different challenges.
Read Marlee's speech from the AOL and Dove luncheon honoring Chief Everything Officers
That said, I could not ever have predicted that I would one day be sitting face-to-face with the lovely Ms. Matlin, in her trailer eating Domino's pizza. In between bites of microwaved pizza and sips of Red Bull, here's what she had to say about her hosting duties and about being a wife, mom and (chief) everything (officer) in-between.
How has it been, hosting a television show?
This has been a completely different role for me! I've never hosted a show before, I've only hosted parties! It's a serious job. You have to make sure everyone's on time, make sure you get everyone's name right -- just like any CEO would!
How's your own family holding up without you?
This is the longest -- 10 days -- that I've ever been away since my kids were born. I was home with them for eight years before I went back to work. My oldest, Sarah (10), is upset. We had a long talk before I left. I said "Mommy is responsible for your school and clothes," and she's like [she rolls her eyeballs and waves dismissively, preteen style], "Whatever." So then I add, "I also have to pay for your iPod nano," so THEN she's like, "OK, when are you leaving?"
The boys (Brandon, 5 1/2 and Tyler, 3 1/2) don't get it yet. My youngest, Isabel (2), has demoted me. I was the queen, but I've been demoted to princess. She's ready to assume my position.
But I don't need to worry with Kevin in charge as my CFO -- my Chief Father Officer! I don't have to worry about homework and test results and studying ... but I do anyway! I'm constantly in touch with everyone by instant messaging on AIM. My husband is also extremely talented at the silliest things. Can you believe he knows how to french braid hair and I don't?!
[To which Marlee's longtime sign translator and manager, Jack Johnson, chimes in "Oh, his cop buddies are going to love that!"]
Do your kids know what you do for a living?
Sarah's getting a little aware, but I don't trot my kids out. I'm not into having my kids photographed. It's not about them.
What do you have to say to people who think you are disadvantaged because you are deaf
Dana Reeve said, "Don't hide from who you are or what you have." Difference makes life interesting. It's not about being disabled. It's about having different challenges.
Read Marlee's speech from the AOL and Dove luncheon honoring Chief Everything Officers
