Born on August 24, 1965, she is a trailblazing actress and activist. Losing her hearing at 18 months due to illness, she pursued acting, gaining prominence with her Oscar-winning role in "Children of a Lesser God" (1986), making her the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award. Her career spans film, television, and stage, with appearances in shows like "The West Wing" and "Switched at Birth." A passionate advocate for the deaf community, she also supports various charitable causes.