Marlee Matlin
a star who taught us a few things about dance

Marlee Matlin is already familiar to our readers, and to anyone who watched her on the megahit reality show, Dancing With the Stars, from late March through April 22. If there's one thing she has always enjoyed doing, it's busting stereotypes. Many people have, or had, the notion that deaf people can't dance. Matlin gave them an education.

Her much-anticipated TV-movie, Sweet Nothing in My Ear, was broadcast on the Hallmark Hall of Fame on April 20. By that time, she was already busy practicing the Mambo.

Rumors about Matlin's participation in Dancing With the Stars started flying early in the year. ABC-TV's formal announcement was made on February 18, confirming that the buzz was, at least in this case, accurate.

After the announcement came the hard work: several weeks of all-day rehearsals (in high heels!), costume fittings, stylings. Her partner was Fabian Sanchez, winner of the World Mambo Championship. Then came the actual performances—Cha-Cha, Samba, Mambo—before a studio audience and judges. Matlin even made a radio-show appearance, with her old friend and business partner, Jack Jason, interpreting. (He also interpreted for her on Dancing With the Stars).

Even though Matlin and Sanchez were eliminated from competition on April 22, they danced the Mambo on Live with Regis and Kelly, and viewers agreed that the two made a sizzling duo.