--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the Bleep Do We Know was not written…" description: "\"What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with them to have me in it. But that happens wit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg" --- # What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf… ![“What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with them to have me in it. But that happens with a lot of actors in Hollywood, not just with me.” quote by Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg) > “What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with them to have me in it. But that happens with a lot of actors in Hollywood, not just with me.” [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker notes that a project not originally intended for deaf audiences resonated with a deaf actor, highlighting unexpected inclusivity in Hollywood casting. **In simple terms:** Unexpected relevance for deaf actors. Key Takeaway Casting can transcend intended audiences. Themes inclusion representation Hollywood disability unexpected resonance Mood hopeful reflective Type observation industry insight When to use this quote - film production - casting decisions - actor collaborations Key Concepts casting audience perception authenticity Practical Applications - diverse casting strategies - inclusive storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How can creators anticipate broader audience connections? - What role does actor input play in shaping representation? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Clicked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clicked/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [Beethoven's last quartets were written by a deaf man and should only be listened to by a deaf man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/beethoven-s-last-quartets-were-written-by-a-deaf-man-and-should-only/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [Bleep if I was going to stage a rescue in a freaking pantsuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/bleep-if-i-was-going-to-stage-a-rescue-in-a-freaking-pantsuit/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [“Bleep, I hadn’t fought a werewolf ever, and had never had to tase one who was actually expecting it. He grinned maliciously as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/bleep-i-hadn-t-fought-a-werewolf-ever-and-had-never-had-to-tase-one/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [“Even more confused than before, I started backing up. I’d go around and get in through the kitchen; David and Raquel had to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/even-more-confused-than-before-i-started-backing-up-i-d-go-around-and/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [ I find what I call the \[bleep\] side of the industry very difficult. You won't see me at other peoples' premiers. I mean, I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-irons/i-find-what-i-call-the-bleep-side-of-the-industry-very-difficult-you/) [Jeremy Irons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-irons/) > [ It's just one more win. I don't give a \[bleep\] how we do it, as long as we get it done. Did I say… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/it-s-just-one-more-win-i-don-t-give-a-bleep-how-we-do-it-as-long-as/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [And we can't avoid an inch of our own experience; if we do it causes a blur, a bleep, a puffy unreality. Our job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/and-we-can-t-avoid-an-inch-of-our-own-experience-if-we-do-it-causes-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [There's a certain thought process about actors that they are in Hollywood and they sit around pools and get suntans and just get offered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-klein/there-s-a-certain-thought-process-about-actors-that-they-are-in/) [Chris Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-klein/) > [I think it just seems like something that somebody else does, like they raise actors somewhere in Ohio, and once in a while, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-grillo/i-think-it-just-seems-like-something-that-somebody-else-does-like/) [Frank Grillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-grillo/) > [I don't think I know a Scientologist except when I see one or two of their actors on the Hollywood screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-falwell/i-don-t-think-i-know-a-scientologist-except-when-i-see-one-or-two-of/) [Jerry Falwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-falwell/) > [I think it’s because there's quite a few of us now but because we’re less frequent than American actors - because Hollywood is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callan-mcauliffe/i-think-it-s-because-there-s-quite-a-few-of-us-now-but-because-we-re/) [Callan McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callan-mcauliffe/) > [When it comes to African Americans and African American actors, Hollywood has always felt that if you can make us laugh, that's fine, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hill-harper/when-it-comes-to-african-americans-and-african-american-actors/) [Hill Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hill-harper/) > [To pursue a career in Hollywood you have to have a personality bypass. Look at the top 20 stars in the world - there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-carlyle/to-pursue-a-career-in-hollywood-you-have-to-have-a-personality-bypass/) [Robert Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-carlyle/) > [I really enjoy watching animation films and I have always been curious about how such well-established actors in Hollywood lend their voices to animation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasika-dugal/i-really-enjoy-watching-animation-films-and-i-have-always-been/) [Rasika Dugal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasika-dugal/) > [For actors in Hollywood, it's very straightforward. We're well-paid animals in a zoo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wright/for-actors-in-hollywood-it-s-very-straightforward-we-re-well-paid/) [Robin Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-wright/) ## More by Marlee Matlin > [Looking back now, thinking about that moment in the lights, with my heart pounding, Oscar in my hand, all I can say is I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/looking-back-now-thinking-about-that-moment-in-the-lights-with-my/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I'm tired of seeing listings of programs I want to watch that aren't closed captioned. And I'm tired of looking for the symbol on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-m-tired-of-seeing-listings-of-programs-i-want-to-watch-that-aren-t/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [We had a dog, Apples. He was 13 years old, toothless, blind and had the worst breath this side of Jabba the Hut. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/we-had-a-dog-apples-he-was-13-years-old-toothless-blind-and-had-the/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I like to say that the greatest handicap of deafness does not lie in the ear, it lies in the mind. I hope that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-like-to-say-that-the-greatest-handicap-of-deafness-does-not-lie-in/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [There are so many people, deaf or otherwise abled, who are so talented but overlooked or not given a chance to even get their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/there-are-so-many-people-deaf-or-otherwise-abled-who-are-so-talented/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [When I was 13, I told Henry Winkler I wanted to act. He said, Do it and don't let anyone stand in your way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/when-i-was-13-i-told-henry-winkler-i-wanted-to-act-he-said-do-it-and/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [There are many deaf people who couldn't imagine living in a marriage without someone who doesn't speak their language. For me, I believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/there-are-many-deaf-people-who-couldn-t-imagine-living-in-a-marriage/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [Watch me when people say deaf and dumb, or deaf mute, and I give them a look like you might get if you called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/watch-me-when-people-say-deaf-and-dumb-or-deaf-mute-and-i-give-them-a/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [YouTube is akin to having my own network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/youtube-is-akin-to-having-my-own-network/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I hope I inspire people who hear. Hearing people have the ability to remove barriers that prevent deaf people from achieving their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-hope-i-inspire-people-who-hear-hearing-people-have-the-ability-to/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [I learned to speak first, and then to sign. I have never really known what it was like to hear, so I cant compare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-learned-to-speak-first-and-then-to-sign-i-have-never-really-known/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [It was ability that mattered, not disability, which is a word I'm not crazy about using.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/it-was-ability-that-mattered-not-disability-which-is-a-word-i-m-not/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [“Social justice is for everyone, including people with disabilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/social-justice-is-for-everyone-including-people-with-disabilities/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [The only thing I can't do is hear. I can drive, I have a life with four kids, I work on TV, I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/the-only-thing-i-can-t-do-is-hear-i-can-drive-i-have-a-life-with-four/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [If I were offered a cochlear implant today, I would prefer not to have one. But that's not a statement about hearing aids or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/if-i-were-offered-a-cochlear-implant-today-i-would-prefer-not-to-have/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) [Explore all 89 Marlee Matlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with them to have me in it. But that happens with a lot of actors in Hollywood, not just with me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marlee Matlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-written-with-a-deaf-person-in-mind/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-written-with-a-deaf-person-in-mind/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/marlee-matlin-7644_actor_what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-writte_51082.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What the Bleep Do We Know was not written with a deaf person in mind, but when they met me, it clicked with…” — Marlee Matlin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Marlee Matlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What the Bleep Do We Know...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-written-with-a-deaf-person-in-mind/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-was-not-written-with-a-deaf-person-in-mind/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```