Phyllis Frelich
Encyclopedia
Phyllis Frelich is an American
actress, and, with Marlee Matlin
, one of the two pre-eminent deaf actresses in the United States. Frelich was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota
to deaf parents and is the oldest of 9 children (all of whom are also deaf). Mia White Brenda Ruedas
She attended North Dakota School for the Deaf
, graduating in 1962, and then went on to study at Gallaudet College (now known as Gallaudet University
), a school for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Frelich originated the leading female role in the Broadway
production of Children of a Lesser God
, for which she won the 1980 Best Actress Tony Award
. Marlee Matlin
played Frelich's role in the film version, and won the Best Actress Academy Award.
).
She performed the ASL interpretation of Jewel
's rendition of the national anthem
at Super Bowl XXXII
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, and, with Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin
Marlee Bethany Matlin is an American actress. She is the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she won for Children of a Lesser God. Her work in film and television has resulted in a Golden Globe award, with two additional nominations, and four Emmy...
, one of the two pre-eminent deaf actresses in the United States. Frelich was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota
Devils Lake, North Dakota
As of the 2000 Census, there were 7,222 people, 3,127 households, and 1,773 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,508 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 89.23% White, 0.22% African American, 7.84% Native American, 0.28%...
to deaf parents and is the oldest of 9 children (all of whom are also deaf). Mia White Brenda Ruedas
She attended North Dakota School for the Deaf
North Dakota School for the Deaf
The North Dakota School for the Deaf is a state-funded residential school located in Devils Lake, North Dakota that provides services to meet the educational needs of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. NDSD is under the direction, control, and management of the North Dakota Department of...
, graduating in 1962, and then went on to study at Gallaudet College (now known as Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, located in the District of Columbia, U.S...
), a school for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Frelich originated the leading female role in the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Children of a Lesser God
Children of a Lesser God (play)
Children of a Lesser God is a play by Mark Medoff, published in 1980 focusing on the conflicted professional and romantic relationship between deaf former student, Sarah Norman, and her teacher, James Leeds. The play was specially written for the Deaf actress Phyllis Frelich, based to some extent...
, for which she won the 1980 Best Actress Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
. Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin
Marlee Bethany Matlin is an American actress. She is the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she won for Children of a Lesser God. Her work in film and television has resulted in a Golden Globe award, with two additional nominations, and four Emmy...
played Frelich's role in the film version, and won the Best Actress Academy Award.
Personal life
She has been married to Robert Steinberg for many years, and they have two children (both of whom can hear and are fluent in American Sign LanguageAmerican Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
).
She performed the ASL interpretation of Jewel
Jewel (singer)
Jewel Kilcher , professionally known as Jewel, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actress and poet...
's rendition of the national anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
at Super Bowl XXXII
Super Bowl XXXII
Super Bowl XXXII was an American football game played on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1997 regular season...
.
Filmography
| Year | Film/TV Show |
|---|---|
| 1983 | More Than Friends |
| 1985 | Love is Never Silent |
| 1989 | Bridge to Silence |
| 1991 | Hunter: Cries of Silence |
| 1997 | Santa Fe |
| 1998 | ER ER (TV series) ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television... : Stuck on You |
| 1999 | ER ER (TV series) ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television... : Nobody Doesn't Like Amanda Lee |
| 2002 | Children on Their Birthdays Children on Their Birthdays Children on Their Birthdays is a 2002 American independent film directed by Mark Medoff. The screenplay written by Douglas Sloan is based on "Children on Their Birthdays", the short story of the same title by Truman Capote.-Plot:... |
| 2008 | Sweet Nothing in My Ear Sweet Nothing in My Ear Sweet Nothing in My Ear is a television movie that debuted on the CBS television network as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on April 20, 2008. The film is directed by Joseph Sargent, and is based on a 1998 play of the same name by Stephen Sachs, who also wrote the teleplay... |
| 2011 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer... : The Two Mrs. Grissom's |