When I learned to sign and speak at the same time, the whole world opened up to me. That's the beauty of encouraging kids who are deaf to use whatever it takes to communicate.

When you're up for an award at the Oscars, try as you might, it's hard to concentrate on the show.

I'm not really deaf; I just faked it to win the Oscar KIDDING.

I got a good handshake. A lot of executives tell me I have the best handshake in Hollywood.

When it comes down to it, it's about who you know, and who's a fan. It's about whether you're the right age, whether you're hot or not, whether the studio is into you or not.

At some point we have to stop and say, There's Marlee, not, There's the deaf actress.

I am writing my second novel for children for Simon and Schuster.