Oscar winner praises Winkler’s supportive nature during her toughest moments in ‘Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore’
Following her challenging breakup with William Hurt, Marlee Matlin found solace in her mentor, Henry Winkler.
The Oscar recipient shares her journey to Hollywood success in the new documentary titled “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.”
In the film, Matlin recounts seeking support from the “Happy Days” icon after her split from actor William Hurt. She described her “Children of a Lesser God” co-star as having a “habit of abuse.” Hurt passed away in 2022 at the age of 71.
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The 59-year-old actress, who is deaf, communicated with Fox News Digital via an interpreter, explaining how natural it felt to reach out to Winkler during a troubled period in her life.
“He made it easy for me to contact him,” Matlin stated. “He was always there for me. It was like an open door – an open door to both his heart and mine. He understood that.”
Marlee Matlin walking outside wearing sunglasses.
Marlee Matlin acknowledges Henry Winkler as a supportive mentor and friend. (Kino Lorber)
“He recognizes that he has been there for many people,” she added. “But having that close bond made me feel incredibly fortunate. I knew that both he and his wife were like gold to me. Without Henry in my life, I don’t think I would have made it this far.”
William Hurt dressed in a suit and bowtie standing next to Marlee Matlin in a vibrant pink dress and glasses.
William Hurt starred alongside Marlee Matlin in the 1986 film “Children of a Lesser God.” (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
In the 1986 film, they portrayed a deaf woman and her relationship with a hearing-speech teacher. Matlin was just 19 when she took on the role opposite Hurt, who was 35.
Despite the issues in their relationship, Matlin credited Hurt with motivating her to enter the Betty Ford Center after exhausting her substance use in their New York City apartment.
However, after rehab, Matlin realized their relationship had irrevocably changed.
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A close-up of Marlee Matlin showcasing glamorous makeup.
The Betty Ford Center played a pivotal role in Marlee Matlin’s recovery. She celebrated her 31st year of sobriety in 2018. (Kino Lorber)
“I left that house and never returned,” she reflected in the documentary.
Winkler invited a sober Matlin to stay with him and his wife, Stacey Weitzman, at their home in California for some much-needed conversation. Matlin accepted his invitation.
The actor, who rose to fame as “The Fonz,” recounted the moment Matlin knocked on his door.
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“She said, ‘I just broke up with my boyfriend,’” Winkler remembered Matlin saying in the documentary. “‘Can I stay with you just for the weekend?’ ‘Of course. Stace, what do you think?’ ‘Absolutely.’”
“Two years later, she finally found her own place!” Winkler laughed.
Matlin expressed gratitude for Winkler and his family, who welcomed her “as if I were one of their own.”
Henry Winkler and Marlee Matlin sharing smiles together.
Marlee Matlin lived with Henry Winkler and his family for a two-year period. (Noel Vasquez/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Winkler observed that Matlin was not “completely whole at that time.”
“I told her, ‘If you know what you want without hesitation, if you’re clear about what you desire, everything else will fall into place,'” he shared in the film.
As Matlin began to heal, she also discovered true love. In 1993, she wed Kevin Grandalski, a police officer, at Winkler’s residence.
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