Kevin Grandalski is an American former police officer best known as the husband of Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin. While his wife has built a celebrated career in Hollywood, Grandalski has largely stayed away from the entertainment industry. Their relationship began during the filming of a television series in the early 1990s, leading to their marriage in 1993. Together, they have raised four children while balancing Matlin’s acting career with their family responsibilities. Grandalski’s background in law enforcement, knowledge of sign language, and long-standing marriage to Matlin are central to his biography.
Who Is Kevin Grandalski?
Kevin Grandalski is a former Burbank police officer who became known through his relationship with Marlee Matlin, the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award.
Before marrying Matlin, Grandalski pursued a career in criminal justice and worked in law enforcement in California. His professional background was entirely different from the film and television industry in which his future wife had already established herself.
The couple met when Grandalski was assigned to work on location during the production of Matlin’s television drama Reasonable Doubts. Their encounter eventually developed into a relationship, and they married on August 29, 1993.
Unlike many spouses of Hollywood celebrities, Grandalski has maintained a relatively private personal and professional life.
Kevin Grandalski Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin Grandalski |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former police officer |
| Known for | Marriage to actress Marlee Matlin |
| Education | Criminal justice degree |
| College | Fresno State |
| Graduation year | 1988 |
| Spouse | Marlee Matlin |
| Wedding date | August 29, 1993 |
| Children | Four |
| Children’s names | Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, and Isabelle |
Early Life and Education
Kevin Grandalski studied criminal justice at Fresno State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1988. His education prepared him for a career in law enforcement and also introduced him to a skill that would later become important in his personal life.
While attending college, Grandalski learned sign language. This gave him the ability to communicate with deaf individuals before he met Matlin.
His knowledge of sign language became particularly meaningful when he began dating the actress, who has been deaf since early childhood and communicates using American Sign Language.
Grandalski’s exact birth date and detailed childhood background have not been established in major biographical publications.
Kevin Grandalski’s Career in Law Enforcement
Grandalski worked as a police officer with the Burbank Police Department in California. His responsibilities included duties associated with public safety, security, and traffic management.
One assignment proved particularly significant in his personal life. While working as an officer, he was assigned to provide security and manage traffic during the filming of Reasonable Doubts, the television series starring Marlee Matlin and Mark Harmon.
That assignment brought him into contact with Matlin and eventually led to their marriage.
Grandalski subsequently became a former police officer, although the precise date of his retirement or departure from law enforcement has not been widely documented.
His career is distinct from Matlin’s work in entertainment. He is not known for pursuing acting or establishing a professional career in Hollywood.
How Did Kevin Grandalski Meet Marlee Matlin?
Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin met during the production of Reasonable Doubts, an NBC legal drama that aired from 1991 to 1993.
Matlin played Tess Kaufman, a deaf assistant district attorney, opposite Mark Harmon, who portrayed police detective Dicky Cobb.
Grandalski was working for the Burbank Police Department when he was assigned to provide security and traffic control for an outdoor filming location.
The encounter introduced the actress to the police officer, and they subsequently began a romantic relationship.
An interesting aspect of their connection was Grandalski’s previous experience with sign language. He had already studied it in college, allowing the couple to communicate in sign language from the beginning of their relationship.
Their Wedding in 1993
Grandalski and Matlin married on August 29, 1993, five days after Matlin’s 28th birthday.
Their wedding took place at the home of actor Henry Winkler, who had played an important role in Matlin’s early acting career.
Winkler had supported Matlin during her transition into professional acting and remained a close friend. Hosting her wedding was another significant moment in their friendship.
The marriage came several years after Matlin’s historic Academy Award victory for Children of a Lesser God.
As of September 2026, Grandalski and Matlin have been married for 33 years.
Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin’s Four Children
Family details documented in biographical coverage and interviews.
Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin have four children: two daughters and two sons. Their eldest child was born in 1996, followed by three more children between 2000 and 2003.
| Child | Birth year |
|---|---|
| Sarah Rose Grandalski | 1996 |
| Brandon Joseph Grandalski | 2000 |
| Tyler Daniel Grandalski | 2002 |
| Isabelle Jane Grandalski | 2003 |
Their children have pursued different educational and professional interests. Sarah has worked in fashion, Brandon has pursued sports communications, and Tyler has studied screenwriting. Isabelle attended the University of Oregon.
The family welcomed a new generation when Sarah became a mother, making Grandalski and Matlin grandparents.
Life With Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin’s career has included award-winning films, television dramas, and advocacy for greater accessibility in entertainment.
She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God. At 21, she became the youngest recipient of the award, a distinction she continues to hold.
Her subsequent acting credits include The West Wing, The L Word, Switched at Birth, and the Oscar-winning film CODA.
While Matlin’s professional life has involved international recognition, Grandalski has generally maintained a quieter public presence. Their family has occasionally appeared together at entertainment events, but he is not known for maintaining a comparable media career.
Matlin has also spoken about the importance of family alongside her professional achievements. Their marriage and children have remained significant parts of her life outside acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Kevin Grandalski?
Kevin Grandalski is an American former police officer best known as the husband of actress Marlee Matlin. He previously worked for the Burbank Police Department in California.
2. How old is Kevin Grandalski?
His exact date of birth has not been established in reliable biographical sources, so his age cannot be stated with confidence.
3. When did Kevin Grandalski marry Marlee Matlin?
Kevin Grandalski married Marlee Matlin on August 29, 1993. Their wedding took place at actor Henry Winkler’s home.
4. How many children does Kevin Grandalski have?
He has four children with Marlee Matlin: Sarah, Brandon, Tyler, and Isabelle.
5. What did Kevin Grandalski do for a living?
Grandalski worked as a police officer in Burbank, California. He studied criminal justice at Fresno State and graduated in 1988.
6. How did Kevin Grandalski meet his wife?
He met Matlin while providing security and traffic control during the filming of her NBC television drama Reasonable Doubts.
Conclusion
Kevin Grandalski built his professional life in law enforcement before becoming known as Marlee Matlin’s husband. Their relationship began through an unexpected encounter on a television set and developed into a marriage spanning more than three decades. Together, they have raised four children and become grandparents. Although Grandalski has largely remained outside the entertainment spotlight, his marriage and family life form an important part of Matlin’s personal story.
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