Kevin Grandalski: Biography, Career, Marriage to Marlee Matlin and Family Life
Kevin Grandalski is a retired American police officer best known as the husband of Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin. The couple met in the early 1990s when Grandalski was working near the set of Matlin’s television series Reasonable Doubts. Their relationship led to a wedding in 1993 and a family of four children. Although Matlin has spent much of her career in Hollywood, Grandalski has maintained a relatively private life. From his law enforcement career to his marriage and family, his story offers a look at the man who has shared more than three decades with one of Hollywood’s most accomplished Deaf actresses.
Who Is Kevin Grandalski?
Kevin Grandalski is a former officer with the Burbank Police Department in California. He became known beyond law enforcement after marrying Marlee Matlin, the actress who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God.
Unlike his wife, Grandalski did not pursue a career in acting. He has occasionally accompanied Matlin to Hollywood events while generally keeping his professional and family life out of the entertainment spotlight.
Kevin Grandalski: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kevin Grandalski |
| Profession | Retired police officer |
| Former employer | Burbank Police Department |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice |
| College | Fresno State |
| Spouse | Marlee Matlin |
| Wedding date | August 29, 1993 |
| Children | Sarah, Brandon, Tyler and Isabelle |
| Known for | His law enforcement career and marriage to Marlee Matlin |
Early Life, Education and Police Career
Grandalski attended Fresno State, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1988. During college, he also learned sign language to fulfill a language requirement.
His knowledge of sign language would later become particularly meaningful in his personal life.
Grandalski went on to work for the Burbank Police Department in California. His duties included providing security and managing traffic near film and television productions. It was through one of these assignments that he encountered his future wife.
By March 2026, Grandalski had retired from the department.
How Did Kevin Grandalski Meet Marlee Matlin?
A chance encounter on a television set
Grandalski and Matlin met while she was working on the NBC legal drama Reasonable Doubts, which aired during the early 1990s. Matlin played assistant district attorney Tess Kaufman alongside Mark Harmon, who portrayed police detective Dicky Cobb.
Grandalski was assigned to help manage traffic near the production. Matlin has recalled noticing him on the set and asking another police officer about him.
Their connection developed into a romantic relationship. One advantage was that Grandalski already knew sign language, having studied it years before meeting Matlin.
In a personal essay, Matlin described the differences between their personalities. She portrayed him as athletic, reserved and easygoing, while describing herself as artistic and outgoing. She appreciated the balance between them.
By March 1993, the couple were engaged and planning an August wedding.
Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin’s Wedding
Kevin Grandalski married Marlee Matlin on August 29, 1993, at the Los Angeles home of actor Henry Winkler and his wife, Stacey.
Winkler had been an important figure in Matlin’s life since her childhood. After Matlin experienced a difficult period in her personal life, he and his family also welcomed her into their home.
Their residence became the setting for her wedding to Grandalski.
The ceremony brought together the couple’s families and close friends. Footage from the celebration later appeared in the 2025 documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, including moments from the ceremony and their first dance.
The wedding took place shortly after Matlin’s 28th birthday. By then, she had already won an Oscar and established herself as an actress in both film and television.
Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin’s Four Children
The couple have two daughters and two sons. Their eldest child, Sarah Rose, was born in 1996, followed by Brandon Joseph in 2000, Tyler Daniel in 2002 and Isabelle Jane in 2003.
Each of their children has pursued different interests and educational paths.
Sarah Rose Grandalski
Born on January 19, 1996, Sarah is the couple’s eldest daughter. She has worked in fashion and visual merchandising and has accompanied her mother to entertainment and charitable events.
In April 2024, Sarah welcomed a daughter, Brooklyn Rose, making Grandalski and Matlin grandparents.
Brandon Joseph Grandalski
Brandon was born on September 12, 2000. He attended Marquette University, where he studied public relations and graduated in 2023.
Matlin delivered the commencement address at his graduation, expressing her pride in him. Brandon subsequently worked in game-day communications for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Tyler Daniel Grandalski
Tyler was born on July 18, 2002. He pursued screenwriting at DePaul University and has shown an interest in filmmaking and inclusive storytelling.
He accompanied his mother to the Academy Awards in March 2024.
Isabelle Jane Grandalski
The youngest child, Isabelle, was born on December 26, 2003. She attended the University of Oregon and has occasionally included her father in lighthearted social media videos.
Matlin has also shared moments from family visits to Isabelle’s university.
Their Marriage and American Sign Language
American Sign Language has been part of Grandalski and Matlin’s relationship since they first met. Because Grandalski had studied sign language in college, the couple could communicate directly when their relationship began.
Matlin has discussed how their different personalities complemented one another. She has also spoken about allowing their children to develop their own interests and choose their own paths.
Although Grandalski is married to an internationally recognized actress and advocate for Deaf representation, he has generally avoided building a separate entertainment career around their marriage.
Kevin Grandalski’s Hollywood Appearances
Grandalski has accompanied Matlin to numerous professional celebrations, award ceremonies and family milestones.
In February 2022, they attended the Screen Actors Guild Awards during a particularly significant period in Matlin’s career, following the success of CODA. They also appeared together at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s annual Academy Awards viewing party in March 2023.
More recently, they attended the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. Grandalski, described at the event as a retired Burbank police officer, joined Matlin on the red carpet.
Their 1993 wedding also received renewed attention in Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, directed by Shoshannah Stern. The documentary uses archival footage and interviews to explore Matlin’s career, relationships and experiences as a Deaf actress.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Kevin Grandalski do for a living?
Kevin Grandalski is a retired Burbank police officer. He studied criminal justice at Fresno State and worked in law enforcement in California.
2. Is Kevin Grandalski still married to Marlee Matlin?
Yes. Grandalski and Matlin married on August 29, 1993, and appeared together at the Academy Awards in March 2026.
3. How did Kevin Grandalski meet Marlee Matlin?
They met while Matlin was filming the television drama Reasonable Doubts. Grandalski was a Burbank police officer assigned to traffic and security duties near the production.
4. Did Kevin Grandalski know sign language before meeting his wife?
Yes. He learned sign language while attending college, before he met Matlin.
5. Where did Kevin Grandalski and Marlee Matlin get married?
They married at the Los Angeles home of actor Henry Winkler and his wife, Stacey, on August 29, 1993.
6. Does Kevin Grandalski appear in Marlee Matlin’s documentary?
Yes. The 2025 documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore includes archival footage of their relationship and wedding.
Conclusion
Kevin Grandalski built his career in law enforcement before becoming widely known through his marriage to Marlee Matlin. Their relationship began with a chance encounter during a television production and developed into a marriage spanning more than three decades. Together, they have raised four children and celebrated significant family and professional milestones. Although Grandalski occasionally accompanies his wife to major Hollywood events, his life has remained largely centered on his family and his career outside the entertainment industry.
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