Top 10 Best Portrayals of Being Deaf or Hard of Hearing

[@AliAngelpie]

As someone who is hard of hearing and who struggles with it daily, it makes me so happy to see my disability represented in media, ESPECIALLY if they do it right :)

[@trinaq]

Millicent Simmonds really impressed as Regan, considering that she was only 14 years old in the first film, yet held her own against John Kraninski and Emily Blunt.

[@sadiesmith1509]

I feel like she should be higher up on the list

[@crazieanimefan1]

The English dub of A Silent Voice actually hired a deaf actress in Shoko's role. She was from Glee as part of the Deaf Choir. Recently, they did an anime called Ranking of Kings, where the main character, Boji, is deaf. I'm 80% deaf in one ear due to a horrible medicine reaction, so I am happy that even anime is picking up the pace for disabilities.

[@sheilarough236]

Helen Keller graduated with honors from Radcliffe college. Her degree was in foreign languages. Annie Sullivan attended every class with her, finger spelling every word of every lecture into Helen’s hand

[@ChristoAbrie]

Sue Thomas was a monumental series for deaf representation, it's criminal that it's just an honourable mention. Glad to see General Amaya on the list, given the nature of animation, you'd think every character has to have a voice actor, so a deaf character eliminates the need for a voice actor since it's not easy to mimic a deaf person's speaking voice and a deaf person cannot necessarily record voice-overs (not all deaf people can speak fluently)

[@patperez1446]

A silent voice is an anime movie with a deaf character. A hard of hearing voiced her. So yeah it would be hard for a deaf person to voice a character.

[@westzed23]

Totally agree that Sue Thomas, F.B.I should have been on the list.

[@CatalleyaStorm]

@@patperez1446Marlee Martin voices a character on Family Guy and does so fine.

[@art.of.verser]

The cast and crew of CODA really deserved those three Oscars. Congrats to Troy Kostur for his supporting role as well!

[@sherryhannah9262]

Cat Roberts Verser would I like CODA????!!!!!….. I teaching myself sign language 🤟 I hope you will reply to this

[@art.of.verser]

@@sherryhannah9262 I can definitely say that the performances will definitely leave you smiling and making you feel seen. I started learning ASL in fourth grade and taught it to a deaf classmate. I still remember a few words and phrases in ASL, that's about it. All the love to you! 🤟🏾

[@JayBeeIRL]

@@sherryhannah9262 You would LOVE CODA. It's such a good movie! Only downside is that it's only available on Apple TV

[@ADayWithBlossom]

I'm hard of hearing and I always get so excited when I see Deaf or Hard of hearing actors in movies🥰

[@lookingup82]

I feel silly but I've been excited to see ASL on TV shows or movies since I was 6yo! I'm 60 yo now. Was an interpreter until I had to retire due to serious disability. I miss working, heartbreaking.

[@catiabotelho5845]

Deaf people have the right to act in every kind of entertainment art. They are people too and they teach us so much. A huge hug for the deaf community.

[@trinaq]

I love Marlee Matlin, I'm delighted that she's getting steady work in many films and shows. Both of the parents from "Coda" are now Oscar Winners! 🥇💖

[@sherryhannah9262]

Trina Q did you know Marlee Matlin was on Dancing with the stars???????!!!!!…. I hope you will reply to this

[@trinaq]

@@sherryhannah9262 Wow, I didn't know that, but thank you so much for informing me! 😘♥️

[@sherryhannah9262]

Trina Q a few years ago on TCM I saw the film Marlee Matlin was in for which she won the Oscar Children of a lesser God……I’d like to get it did you know Willam Hurt passed away recently?????!!…. I also hope you will reply to this

[@SierenH]

I am too, she is an amazing actress. I still need to watch coda.

[@sarahpirkle9476]

I've never which it , but I love her in just about everything she does , I love children of a lass God , that's one of my favorite movies to watch , it's sad that William hurt die he was a good actor in that part of the movie ,

[@bricktam]

While Louise Fletcher (Oscar winner for portraying one of the greatest film villains) isn't deaf, she was raised by deaf parents. She thanked them using ASL in her Oscar's speech

[@lookingup82]

That night I missed tyhe Oscars. I also, missed Marlie Matlin's night. (Marlee Used her voice, a challenge for her) Deaf people were hoping she'd use ASL.

[@DeafDucky]

Marlee Matlin also starred in a TV show called Reasonable Doubt as a deaf lawyer. Mark Harmon also starred and used ASL with her. He later used ASL on NCIS a few times (as well as Pauly Perrette aka Abby). Agreed on Nyle DeMarco with Dancing with the Stars & America's Next Top Model Ditto with Linda Bove and Love is Never Silent- I remember that Phyllis Frelich played the mother- well known deaf actress along with Ed Waterstreet (the father). Loved Howie Seago in Star Trek TNG! Oh yes... CJ Jones was on an episode of A Different World too!

[@lookingup82]

I knew/love CJ Jones! Yes many from Deaf National Theater

[@TheLadySilverMoon]

So happy that both Amaya, Shoko and Gabriella was included, 'cause it's important to show characters with disabilities in animation as well.

[@Fouroclocklover38]

The Original Smurfs Cartoon Series did an Episode that focused on Sign Language.

[@canaanzaghawski1478]

Fun Fact: In The Dragon Prince season 5, Amaya urges her nephews to get to safety, she actually screams "GO!" This might seem insignificant on the surface, but she was actually voiced by a deaf actress. Now that is representation at its finest.

[@NYChica23]

I'm disappointed this list didn't mention Linda Bove from Sesame Street, because that was the first time I remembered seeing a deaf character on a TV show. And also, as much credit as Rose should get for her appearance on SCD, why isn't Nyle DiMarco also getting love for his appearance on DWTS?

[@TLForsberg]

I agree. Linda's role on Sesame Street was iconic and pioneering. Also the actor from Sound of Metal is hearing. It would have been nice if they cast from within the community for that role.

[@lookingup82]

Nyle was a winner on America's next Top Model. I agree with you about Linda Bove! I became interested in ASL because so many deaf people lived around me. I wanted to be able to talk to them. Then, When I turned 16, I found out Interpreting was a job! and could even be full-time. I was excited. Interpreting at 18 yrs old. I took so many classes and hung around deaf people. At 16, I was asked to go with a deaf man/family was buying a boat! (no pressure,Haha).

[@binks3196]

I really wish that Lauren Ridloff who plays Connie in The Walking Dead was mentioned during her segment for Eternals as well. She along with her cast mate Angel Theory were the first deaf/hard of hearing characters in the show, even teaching some sign to other survivors.

[@mc-rn8ro]

9:52 Watch the full video before you come into the comment section and complain

[@LadyK8T]

I remember Mr. Holands Opus as being a good introduction to ASL too

[@lookingup82]

Heartbreaking, playing off the dad's love of music and having a deaf son! Mom learns sign first- usual in many families.

[@vigal79]

This was a great list. I’ve seen a number of the shows and movies but not all. Something I’d like to share, is that in the United States American sign language has been recognized as its own language as far back as the 60s. A gentleman named William stoke did incredible research and it went to Gallaudet University. But, from my understanding British sign language was not recognized as it’s on language until the early 2000s that’s a huge difference. While I’m sure that deaf and hard of hearing folks will say it there needs to be much improvement in the area of interpreters and release systems and video communications, I think that they have made great strides in that community in recent years. I remember hearing back in the day even in this country the United States, that people would just freak out if they saw deaf people signing in public. Nowadays, it’s no big deal. I’ve even been using sign language on the bus with a deaf person that I know. And people don’t think anything of it. There again, I myself am blind and nobody thinks anything of me getting on public transportation. By the way, in case anybody was curious I was using tactile sign language with the deaf person that I was referring to on the bus earlier. To all the deaf and hard of hearing folks hopefully it was not mistaken in any of my comments. I love your language and your culture very much.

[@lookingup82]

Charlotte Baker worked with Stoke. I am , also, a tactile interpreter. A lot of new interpreters don't want to be touched. You're right about early stigmas of signing. Luckily, that has worn off, mostly.

[@chelseacanales8763]

Coda deserves the win for Best Picture and Troy Kotsur is the second deaf person that won an Oscar. Congratulations from last night.

[@mayatorres3635]

A Quiet Place is groundbreaking because of this.😁

[@williamfincher2260]

I can't believe they didn't include Laconia the wood elf from "The Smurfs." She is mute and communicates through sign language. She is confirmed to be deaf at her wedding in the special, "Smurfily Ever After," where she is completely unaffected by Gargamel's hypnotic music.

[@Fouroclocklover38]

Love that episode.

[@amycollins5984]

Definitely do more about disability lists

[@kdramsey965]

FYI Troy Kotsur played a recurring role on Sue Thomas. He and Deanna Bray, who played Sue Thomas, have been married for many years.

[@nicolemarie6720]

Good list. I would've ranked them differently. Special note: Troy Kotsur is also in The Mandalorian as a Tusken Raider. He is the one who has been creating the Tusken Raider language. That is talent to create a language & get a message across from behind the costumes. That reason alone (plus CODA) I would've ranked him higher.

[@oliviakinter179]

The L Word seasons 4 & 5 - Jodie Lerner (Marlee Matlin) is a recurring character and mostly signs opposite Jennifer Beals. Great story arc and representation of a deaf principal character/actor.

[@Paige-pk8dr]

Dancing with the Stars had a deaf contestants first. They had Marlee Matlin a while back and more recently Nyle DeMarco, Nyle won in 2016. Peta was his partner, she also put in a moment of complete silence in one of their dances, not the signing part that was cool and all their own thing. Not trying to discredit Rose Ayling-Ellis she did great but US version did it too

[@lookingup82]

This list went back and forth. British Sign Language is different than American Sign Language. Should do an all ASL, and an all BSL list.

[@LukeKetchum7003]

10:11 Now that, is really saying something!

[@lonellfletcher]

So, no mention of Nyle DiMarco, either on his winning run on America’s Next Top Model, or his winning run on Dancing with the Stars (which precedes Rose), or any of his various acting gigs? On this countdown, that’s an EXTREME choice.

[@Meganedere]

There was nothing as eye opening as a child as that Little Mermaid episode, as I had never known about deafness prior and it's stuck in my head permanently, including the episode song which my brain automatically started playing when I saw it.

[@Clarexaizabela]

My cousin is deaf and the reason I love deaf community so much. I feel like them deserve way more representation than LGBT and Plus Size (which is also part of me), since unlike them and people of color, I hardly see deaf people getting the love they deserve ❤

[@catiabotelho5845]

You are absolutely right. I AM portuguese and there is a massive publicity about deaf LGBTQ people. However, deafness alone needs to raise more awareness.

[@Mightyblackcats]

Rose's couple choice dance gave me chills watching it the first time, and each time I see it, it gets better and better

[@rosebookfan7677]

Hold it hold it hold it! Why they didn’t include Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez/Echo in Hawkeye?!?! The actress who played Makkari maybe the first marvel deaf character but she isn’t the only one & though Cox’s time on the show was limited, she still brought a powerful force to her character especially with her solo show coming soon for more to come.😤

[@EpixAndroid]

It's also glad to know that with Echo, Makkari isn't seen as the ONLY deaf character in the MCU.

[@bookworm7076]

MsMojo, can you do a video of the Best Portrayals of Being Blind and the Best Portrayals of Being Paralyzed?

[@heroesgeek4ever]

I also liked Deanne Bray as Emma in Heroes. I know it was a weak last season, but I would have loved to see more of her character

[@Showtunediva]

#2! She was amazing.

[@kristinrademacher4387]

I’m disappointed that there was no mention of Russel Harvard, a Deaf man, and this list includes individuals who aren’t Deaf or hard of hearing. His portrayal as a hit man in Fargo was amazing.

[@MicycleTV]

I absolutely agree with the inclusion of Marlee Matlin on this list, but I personally think her best role was as Harriet on The Magicians. The scenes shot from her perspective, while few, were incredibly directed.

[@MazeThePlaya]

The Magicians was such an underrated show...

[@isaacmartinez6904]

Hey, what about the Korean girl from Drive My Car? She did an amazing job by performing in a theater with her sign language.

[@mauricioalday6931]

Yesss! I was expecting her on the list :(

[@madij6163]

Are we not going to talk about Hawkeye literally being almost completely dead

[@madij6163]

Deaf *

[@brandoniswhoiam]

I already wanna rewatch A Silent Voice.

[@janecob5995]

I think Lauren Ridloff in Thew Walking Dead is amazing and deserved at least honorable mention. Deafness in the zombie apocalypse is a superpower. Good list though.

[@Courtneybenson907]

Me and Lauren Ridloff share a cousin. Haven’t seen her since 2015 at our cousin’s wedding, but I remember hanging out with her two adorable sons, I wonder what they look like now.

[@ChrissyMarshall_]

Our community has come such a long way 🥰

[@poppyseed1987]

Dear Frankie is also a great movie with a leading deaf character

[@billlloyd6180]

Wow! Not even a mention of Alan Arkin as "John Singer" in "The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter" from 1968. A glaring omission!

[@lookingup82]

Arkin is hearing. This list was deaf people playing deaf people.

[@karenritter2574]

Wonderful, my other half, who's hearing impaired due to illness, would love this

[@Fouroclocklover38]

The Deaf Doctor on Grey's Anatomy was not the first Deaf Doctor on Network Television. The first was on ER.

[@CutterHistorical]

Sue Thomas FBEye DESERVES A SPOT IN TOP 10

[@werthmelissa]

You forgot to add Holly Hunter's performance in The Piano! Her character of Ada McGrath was psychology mute and used sign language to communicate while her daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) interpreted for her. Bonus points for that both Holly and Anna swept the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories at the Oscars!

[@Margann1987]

It may have been because Ada was not deaf or hard of hearing, but the fact that Holly Hunter is partially deaf herself gives your point relevance.

[@mytvobsessions]

I'm shocked that Jane Wyman isn't on here for her performance in Johnny Belinda. She won an oscar for it. Not even an honorable mention. She was magnificent in it. Great movie.

[@matthewmcshane399]

I think another good example is from the Inside Number 9 episode "Empty Orchestra."

[@kathrynann8547]

I would include the film "Beyond Silence" of Caroline Link (oscar nominated in 1998). It picked up on the subject of a musically talented child of deaf parents long before the film "La famille Bélier".

[@00zarzu00]

yes that was a very good film. pretty much that’s the german version, then there’s a slightly different french version in the beliers and then basically the us version of the beliers with coda.

[@JohnSimpson36]

Take a shot each time the autocaptions say, 'death', not 'deaf' 😅 as a deaf person myself I find this funny how live captions/subtitles sometimes confuse the two

[@erictaylor5462]

9:00 I saw Matlin in a movie where the bad guy was looking for her. She had a cell phone she used to text message and while she is hiding from the bad guy her phone starts to ring. Probably someone trying to reach her about her car's extended warranty. The bad guy can hear it but she can't. It is a terrifying scene.

[@disneyhistory101disney8]

I love this video it is so good but can you please do a top 10 for characters or people with dyslexia. Dyslexic need more representation so please do one or 2 it would be so awesome 👏 but video is so good 😊

[@cathya7045]

Thank you I was hoping to switched at birth was going to be on here because it's one of the most prolific features of deaf people that can think of

[@JonnyTainment]

I was so hoping for Linda Bove of Sesame Street to make this list!

[@NYChica23]

Me too, because she was the first deaf person I remember seeing on TV. I even remember on one of the Sesame Street holiday specials, she was doing a sign language interpretation of one of the songs

[@masontalarico7090]

How is General Amaya representation done right? She hits just about every misconception about Deaf people that they could've shown and at the point I'm typing this the show still isn't done. She is completely silent. Now people can say that she has trained herself for years, but her being silent even when she's around her family is completely unrealistic. Deaf people are some of the loudest people I've met(aside from Italians). Gren(Amaya's best friend, lieutenant, and interpreter) has voiced for Amaya the entire series so far, which is good but that's only half the job. So far out of the three seasons that he has existed he has yet to interpret a single thing to Amaya, because(and this brings me to my next unrealistic misconception) she can read lips. This isn't entirely unrealistic. Many HoH people and people who were born hearing and slowly became Deaf rely partially on lip reading, but statistics show that even the best lip reader in the world being in the most perfect conditions will only be able to get 30 percent information out of any conversation. That's 70 percent of information that people would be missing out of a conversation. But not Amaya. She can read lips and get every word. This supernatural ability of her's knows no bounds. She can do it no matter the lighting, the distance, the ammount of facial hair, and she can do it even if THEIR NOT FACING HER(that's a pretty big one)!!! I like Amaya and I love the idea of her, but the creators so far have not been cautious of how they represent her, and this can have serious repercussions. I've met many hearing parents of Deaf kids who refuse to learn sign because "They know I love them. They can understand me just fine." Her character isn't a total failure. She can still be the amazing representation if they make some simple changes. I hope they will in the future.

[@MsBrendalina]

I wish you had given credit to the English language actress from A Silent Voice. Unlike her Japanese counterpart, she was actually deaf. So its extra impressive that she managed to do well in a voice over role

[@zizid1186]

What about the film with Sally Struthers “And my name is Jonah”. A film in the 80s that included a deaf child, the son and Sally, the mom. It was a truly great film for the time and how people viewed deaf children (pity, annoyed, curious, sad)

[@jwindsor6274]

I've always thought it was interesting how Katie Leclerc has played a deaf character multiple times in her career meanwhile she's not deaf irl

[@poisonousjinx9823]

She is hard of hearing, she has Ménière's disease .

[@jwindsor6274]

@@poisonousjinx9823 interesting! I had always assumed she'd learned to sign before switched at birth because her signing is so perfect

[@patperez1446]

@@jwindsor6274 I believe her father has the disease as well and that is why she knew how to sign before she started to loss her hearing

[@ELmayberry]

@@patperez1446 whoa

[@swopesparklerz]

There's a difference between Deaf and deaf, too- Deaf uses ASL as a primary language and includes interpreters, CODAs, etc regardless of levels of hearing. Lower case d deaf can be people who are losing hearing due to age but never use sign, or people who lipread and don't sign, to name a few categories.

[@bethanychomiak1399]

I wished they would have mentioned the movie Dear Frankie.

[@emilyhunter666]

I'm a little surprised that The Mandalorian wasn't mentioned. Troy Kotsur's work to create the Tuskan language was amazing.

[@Stalaxian]

Quiet place is amazing and the fact she is actually deaf and the orphan also is awesome with maxielle.

[@mitchellryan7621]

I would have wanted to include Baby's foster father Joseph played by CJ Jones in Baby Driver as an honorable mention.

[@Dead-or-Alive1985]

I'd like to give a shoutout to Alaqua Cox, yet another Deaf WOC superhero in the MCU!! Can't wait to see her show!

[@ricardoortiz4870]

Mine is Hawkeye’s Maya Lopez.

[@BraeMartin-sw6xk]

I really love Makkari. She had definitely became one of my favorite Marvel Characters.

[@artism9780]

I would’ve put down Signing Time, A show I used to watch on PBS Kids where hence the name teaches kids ASL. There’s also a frog named Hopkins, which is named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, the founder of the first American school of the Deaf.

[@smileychanvideo7330]

I can’t believe makkari is in the list. Sweet.

[@juliestevens6931]

I know Stockard Channing is not deaf, but I thought she did a wonderful job portraying Kitty O'Neil, the famous deaf stunt woman (since Stockard is not deaf she could not be listed here). Her "accent" seem to be spot on. She was taught only to read lips and speak. The deaf who can speak have a noticeable, but understandable way of speaking. I have known and learned ASL from several women in my church.

[@KayleighNatasha]

The Silent Child Fantastic short film but also emotional too

[@SierenH]

I need to watch coda still ;( U missed the other 2 hellen keller movies in honorable mentions. I really liked the deaf mermaid in The Little Mermaid when I was younger

[@ricardocjoulzenn2568]

Switched at Birth better be up there

[@sapphirewingthefurrycritic985]

Although none of the characters are deaf, the Seawings in the Wings of Fire books use a non verbal form of communication when they are underwater. They communicate using bioluminescent patches on their scales and I thought that was cool when I first read that. I also want to mention the Tuskens in The Mandalorian and Boba fett using sign language because one of the actors portraying the first tuskens is deaf.

[@halolover549]

No mention of Howie Seago in Star Trek the Next Generation episode Loud as a Whisper?

[@hollyludlow2460]

Lauren is also on the walking dead . I love rose she even won strictly

[@MazeThePlaya]

I was hoping you would mention Joey Lucas from The West Wing. Didn't even remember/know she was played by Marlee Matlin.

[@lemasander4932]

They should have included Heather (Anfrea Ferrell) from 7th heaven.

[@angelaholmes8888]

I'm surprised that she's not on the list

[@larisalynnortiz8979]

Great list but with so many others throughout the years, it could've easily made it to 20.

[@TiamatStorm21]

First Deaf superhero? As far as i know, Hawkeye self identifies as Deaf (canonically HoH, so i think he is the first... could be wrong but i'm sure he was first)

[@canaanzaghawski1478]

Yeah, in the comics, but this is in screen media and the Hawkeye show came AFTER Eternals.

[@elizabethlynch6544]

Shoshanna Stern also played Eileen in Supernatural

[@smileychanvideo7330]

Snake eyes, from g.i. joe renegades, he had his best portrayals of deaf and over hearing. His has the best socializing events about deaf and silenced languages.

[@mythicalgirl2005]

This is from a book, not a movie or TV, but I would like to mention Hearthstone from Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. He's an elf who's deaf and does magic.

[@dianemiller2938]

Don't leave out Sandra Mae Frank on New Amsterdam! She was brilliant doctor on the show.

[@Plotagoner2335]

Marlee Matlin as the library and also named Marley in blue’s clues

[@LoneWolf-vy4hv]

No Anna Paquin or Holly Hunter for The Piano?....Coda deserves all the praise that its getting....

[@jamiethal1319]

Holly Hunter’s character wasn’t deaf.

[@redranger2716]

I was so sure you would mention Echo from Hawkeye

[@lamp-togo]

How come in videos about deaf characters I have never seen Hawkeye from Avengers.

[@obijr192]

Kind of surprised that Sam from The Society isn't on this list

[@fanfictionandthings784]

Kind of a shame that they didn't mention Cole in the movie "Mr. Holland's Opus" - that movie was so good! :)

[@xWhereswaldo]

No mention of Dr Wilder/Sandra Mae Frank from New Amsterdam? She's also been in a number of movies.

[@lookingup82]

Helen Keller wasn't born deaf. She got very ill at about 18 months. She was speaking baby words and could say some words. She was remembering the thing and the word for it at the well. Water, she knew, now her mind opened to learn.

[@tashikoweinstein435]

So, I am Hard of Hearing, I was born Hard of Hearing and none of these movie or TV shows make me feel represented! It is all about the Deaf Community and Deaf People, those of us who are HoH must know a SL which most of Hard of Hearing folk don't!

[@kha30s22]

Isn't hawkeye hard of hearing character??

[@tashikoweinstein435]

@@kha30s22 yes, he is

[@swopesparklerz]

Love is Never Silent didn't make the list? I loved that movie! It made more of an impact on me & learning ASL than even Children of a Lesser God. But my first exposure to ASL was Linda Bove on Sesame Street.

[@Fouroclocklover38]

Isn't that movie based on the book by Joanna Greenberg? agree about Linda Bove.

[@R989D]

I loved Marlee Matlin in The Magicians!

[@angelaholmes8888]

Yeah she was great 😊

[@brunotorres9669]

Honorable mention to Echo in Hawkeye

[@mitchellryan7621]

Another one who should have been mentioned would be James Caverly who played Theo Dimas in Only Murders in the Building.

[@MsTimothyswan]

They forgot to include Holly Hunter from "The Piano"

[@mich.aela22]

While I understand why some people will see the representation by Patty Duke and Katie Leclerc as good these choices are pretty bold (and probably not the best) ones. Both actresses adopted a "deaf accent" which can really step on toes and be offensive to the deaf community. This is because there is a certain way deaf people "talk" according to media and when hearing actors portray deaf and hoh people they use this (im not sure if its an attempt to make it "more believable" or lack of research) and it comes off in a really bad way

[@StrangeLittlePoet123]

Troy kotsur is just brilliant

[@EYEBALLKLOTT]

Siblings of near deaf older babysitting by herself. Try that. We don't gear like everyone else. Im stimm learning to hear 'LOSSES' as "law says" I don't like the overseer of the graze anatomy. How ate the tools affecting?