Championing the disability community is personal for Shoshannah Stern. Although the fourth-generation deaf actress' first language is American Sign Language (ASL), the actress says nothing is "groundbreaking" about being deaf. Instead, she has encouraged more representation of deaf people, and the disability community as a whole, on television.
Born in Fremont, Calif., Stern grew up in an observant Jewish home. She has credited her grandmothers, who were both Holocaust survivors, with having a significant influence on her life.
"They sacrificed so much that they had for future generations," Stern told The Times of Israel in 2020. "They were both deaf Jewish women and they persevered. Maybe you won't achieve everything you want to in your life, but what you do now has the power to impact those who come after you."
Stern's television credits include
Weeds
,
ER
,
Providence
,
Supernatural
,
Jericho
, and
This Close
, which she wrote and starred in. She also made history for her role in
Grey's Anatomy
playing the first recurring deaf doctor on a primetime television show.
In addition to her experience on TV, Stern appeared in the films
The Last Shot
and
Adventures of Power
.
Most recently, Stern directed a film for PBS' "American Masters" series on Jewish actress Marlee Matlin's longtime ASL interpreter, which can be streamed on PBS.org or the PBS app.
What was the last book you read?
On All Fours
by Miranda July
What's your all-time favorite movie?
That changes depending on how I'm feeling, but the first to come to mind is
Before Sunrise
.
What's your favorite Jewish food?
Bagels and lox. With capers or it doesn't count!
What are you listening to these days?
My daughter has made me a Swiftie. Being deaf, I never knew how profound her lyrics were before, so now I'm always reading her songs as we listen to her!
Who was the last person you texted on your phone?
My dear friend Sydney.
If you could invite three people, famous or not, to a Shabbat dinner, who would they be?
Elie Weisel and both of my grandmothers.
If you could have any other occupation, what would it be?
I would love to have an animal sanctuary. Animals are one of the best communicators out there and I've always felt deeply connected to them.
Who are two of your biggest role models?
Marlee Matlin and Reese Witherspoon.
What are you currently binging on TV?
Couples Therapy
and
Your Honor
.
If you could offer the teen version of yourself one piece of wisdom, what would it be?
All roads lead to Rome. Don't worry so much, dear one, everything you do will eventually connect even if that connection is within.
