At a Glance
- Marlee Matlin is the mother of four: Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, Isabelle.
- The family began with a marriage on Aug. 29, 1993.
- Each child has pursued distinct paths, from fashion to sports to film.
Why it matters: The family’s journey showcases how a celebrated actress balances public life with everyday milestones.
Marlee Matlin, the Oscar-winning actress, has kept her family life close to her own story of perseverance and creativity. She met her husband, Kevin Grandalski, while filming the early-1990s series Reasonable Doubts. Kevin, a Burbank police officer, was monitoring traffic near the set when the two first crossed paths.
The Beginning
Marlee and Kevin tied the knot on Aug. 29, 1993 at the Los Angeles home of longtime friend Henry Winkler. Less than three years later, the couple began expanding their family.
| Child | Birthdate | Age | Current Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah | Jan. 19, 1996 | 30 | Visual merchandiser |
| Brandon | Sept. 12, 2000 | 25 | Communications staff |
| Tyler | July 18, 2002 | 23 | Screenwriting student |
| Isabelle | Dec. 26, 2003 | 22 | College student |
Sarah Rose Grandalski
Sarah, the eldest, was born on Jan. 19, 1996-an intriguing coincidence with a Picket Fences episode that featured Marlee’s character. Growing up, Sarah championed her mother’s work and even appeared on the red carpet during Dancing with the Stars. When Marlee was on season six, Sarah, then 12, gave her mother pep talks behind the scenes.
> “She worries and goes ‘I might get eliminated,’ and I’m like ‘There’s no way. You’re good,'” Sarah told News Of Los Angeles in 2008.
Sarah once described her early aspirations: “I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps,” she said. However, she has since carved a niche in fashion. She is now a visual merchandiser at Dover Street Market Los Angeles and lives in L.A. She also shares a tattoo with her mother-a sign for “I love you” behind her ear.
In late April 2024, Sarah welcomed her first child, a daughter named Brooklyn Rose Garriola. Marlee celebrated the news on Instagram, signing “It’s a girl” in American Sign Language. “There’s no way to describe the feeling of becoming a grandparent for the first time,” Marlee explained to News Of Los Angeles.
Brandon Joseph Grandalski
Brandon was born on Sept. 12, 2000. He prefers privacy online, with his only public appearance at age eight when Marlee’s family attended her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2009. Brandon’s athletic background includes four years on his high school varsity soccer team and a role as student body commissioner.
He attended Emerson College in 2020 for soccer, then transferred to Marquette University, majoring in public relations with a minor in advertising and communication studies. Brandon graduated in 2023, a milestone celebrated by Marlee, who gave the commencement speech in American Sign Language.
> “She’s the biggest inspiration in my life and hopefully, this will be a huge inspiration for everybody else,” Brandon told WTMJ-TV Milwaukee.
After graduation, Brandon now works for the Chicago Blackhawks’ game-day communications staff in Chicago.
Tyler Daniel Grandalski
Tyler was born on July 18, 2002. He loves travel and the outdoors, a passion reflected in his Instagram posts of beaches, mountains, and sunsets. Tyler also enjoys Hollywood glam; at the 2024 Oscars, he coordinated outfits with Marlee, who wore a lavender floor-length dress.
> “A night I’ll always remember,” Tyler wrote on Instagram, thanking Marlee for letting him be her plus-one.
Tyler is a junior at DePaul University, studying screenwriting after transferring from San Diego State University. He serves as class vice-president, scholarship coordinator, and fraternity education committee head. Tyler’s coursework includes Inclusive Representation in Film and Television and Screenwriting for Television.
He has produced a short film titled The Occurring, Constant, and Deranged Life of Charlie Deeds, which he completed with fellow students in 2024. Tyler also works as a pet sitter on Rover.com and is active in the Delta Kappa Alpha Professional Cinema Society.
Isabelle Jane Grandalski
Isabelle, born Dec. 26, 2003, was the youngest addition to the family. She was active in student life at La Cañada High School, serving as cheerleading captain and Red Cross Club secretary.
After graduating high school in 2022, Isabelle joined the University of Oregon as a student in the Beta Omega sorority. She often posts TikTok videos about college life and recruits her dad for challenges.
Marlee celebrated Isabelle’s college milestones on Instagram, noting a “FUN weekend” with the family at Oregon. She highlighted the Ducks’ win over UCLA and a laundromat adventure.
Family Dynamics
Marlee’s perspective on motherhood is candid. She said during a 2022 interview with Extra:
> “I’m a mom of four and I know full well my kids as they’ve grown up that they’ve had their dreams… It’s interesting to watch kids, what it is they want to choose, what path they wanted to go on, how they want to deal with everything in their lives, the choices that they make, so I get it and I chased my dreams.”
The Matlins have embraced each child’s individuality while maintaining a supportive family core. Their public appearances-from award ceremonies to social media posts-highlight shared moments and personal achievements.
Takeaways
- Marlee Matlin’s family story is a blend of public acclaim and private milestones.
- Each child has pursued distinct careers: fashion, sports, film, and academia.
- The couple’s marriage in 1993 set the foundation for a growing, supportive family.
- Marlee’s openness about deafness and family life offers a relatable narrative for many.
Key Moments
- Aug. 29, 1993: Marriage of Marlee and Kevin.
- Jan. 19, 1996: Sarah’s birth.
- Sept. 12, 2000: Brandon’s birth.
- July 18, 2002: Tyler’s birth.
- Dec. 26, 2003: Isabelle’s birth.
- 2024: Sarah welcomes Brooklyn Rose.
The Matlin family continues to evolve, each member carving a path while staying rooted in shared love and support.
