Entertainment Movies Marlee Matlin Applauds Mentor Whoopi Goldberg for 'Breaking Barriers': 'She Set an Example' "I've had great mentors in my life," CODA star Marlee Matlin told PEOPLE at the Producers Guild of America Awards, crediting Whoopi Goldberg and Henry Winkler as some of her inspirations By Scott Huver and Glenn Garner Glenn Garner Instagram Twitter Glenn Garner is a Writer/Reporter who works heavily with PEOPLE's Movies and TV verticals. Since graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual major in journalism and photography, he got his professional start at OUT Magazine, The Advocate and Teen Vogue, and he's since consistently kept his finger on the pulse of the LGBTQ community. His first book The Guncle Guide was released in 2020 and was featured on Katie Couric's list of 100 recommended books of the year. People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 20, 2022 01:20 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Michael Tran/AFP via Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty Marlee Matlin is recognizing her mentors as she enjoys a fruitful awards season. The CODA star, 56, credited Whoopi Goldberg for inspiring her as she spoke with PEOPLE at Saturday's 33rd Producers Guild of America Awards. "I've had great mentors in my life," Matlin said through an interpreter. "She's gone through a great deal of breaking barriers," she added of Goldberg, 66. "And she set an example for me as well. I have good friends and most especially I have family who supports me, who have my back." Marlee Matlin Celebrates Deaf Culture as CODA Wins Outstanding Movie Cast at 2022 SAG Awards Goldberg and Matlin first appeared together in 1992's The Player, a few short years after Matlin won her first Academy Award, taking Best Actress for 1986's Children of a Lesser God. Matlin most recently reunited with Goldberg when she appeared last month on an episode of The View. Matlin also praised Henry Winkler as another mentor "who told me to not let anyone define me, not let anyone tell me no," adding: "And just like anybody who has a dream or a goal or a desire, I shouldn't let my deafness stop me. And so I never let my deafness define me." Apple TV+ The actress is currently receiving critical acclaim for her role in awards season favorite CODA, which is nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture. She plays Jackie, the matriarch of the Rossi family, all of whom are deaf with the exception of 17-year-old daughter Ruby (Emilia Jones). The film also won Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures at Saturday's Producers Guild of America Awards. CODA's Troy Kotsur Says He's 'So Blessed' to Be an Oscar Nominee: 'It Has Saved My Career' Matlin expressed her excitement to PEOPLE over being able to experience another awards season, this time with costars and fellow deaf actors Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant along for the ride (Kotsur is up for Best Supporting Actor at this year's Oscars). RELATED VIDEO: CODA Star Troy Kotsur Reveals Why He Was Nervous To Work With Marlee Matlin "Today, what I'm excited about is the fact that people are really getting involved. They're expressing their opinions. They're having conversations," Matlin said. "And it's more exciting that I'm not the only one anymore. There are costars now with me who are experiencing this, that never have experienced in their depth. And so it's nice to be with them and to be part of their journey." CODA is now available to stream on AppleTV+.