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Merrick, NY--Each year, Centurion offers interesting and relevant education to its attendees and the 2015 Show is no exception. Centurion welcomes award-winning actors Marlee Matlin (left) and Henry Winkler to the stage where they will tell their inspiring stories of triumph over adversity.

"Marlee and Henry both have compelling stories that our audience will appreciate. We're pleased to have both these personalities kick off the 2015 Show during our opening education session," said Centurion president Howard Hauben.

Award-winning actress and devoted social activist Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ Children of a Lesser God, for which she became the youngest recipient of the Best Actress Oscar, at age 21. Though Matlin lost her hearing when she was only 18 months old, she never let her challenges dictate her future or deter her dreams. Along with a successful Hollywood career, Matlin has dedicated herself to raising awareness for many humanitarian causes, including diversity and LGBT rights. She is a staunch advocate for children, and a champion for those struggling against domestic abuse and addiction, battles she knows well.

Matlin has also helped raise awareness for better hearing health for millions of deaf and hard of hearing children and adults in developing countries, in support of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. In 2013, in association with MEDL Mobile, Matlin created “Marlee Signs,” the first celebrity-driven app teaching basics of American Sign Language on mobile devices and Apple platforms.

Currently, Matlin guest stars on the Peabody Award-winning ABC Family series Switched at Birth. She serves as a national celebrity spokesperson for The American Red Cross and the National Association for the Deaf. Matlin also was instrumental in getting federal legislation passed in support of Closed Captioning, both on broadcast television and broadband, as well as Text to 911 Emergency services.  

Henry Winkler’s portrayal of Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli for 10 seasons on Happy Days (1974-84) made him one of the most recognized actors in the world. He won two consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (1976 and 1977), and three Emmy nominations in the same category. He was honored with a “star” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the leather jacket the character wore has hung in The Smithsonian museum since 1980.  “Fonzie’s” lunch box was recently added to the exhibit.

Henry Winkler

In 2003, he began writing a series of children’s novels with co-author Lin Oliver, titled Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Under-Achiever. The books are inspired by Winkler’s struggle throughout his education due to his learning challenges, and have appeared on several Best Seller lists including The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, among others. Continuing his love for children’s books, Winkler released the first installment of a new series in January 2012, titled Ghost Buddy #1: Zero to Hero.

As Winkler became increasingly visible, he found that he could use his position to help others, particularly children. While Winkler’s personal commitment to helping others is reward enough, his efforts have been recognized by a variety of prestigious organizations.

It should come as no surprise that Henry Winkler places great value on family.  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Stacey and two dogs, Charlotte and Linus. They have three children; Jed, Zoë and Max and grandchildren Indya and Ace. 

The 2015 Show continues Centurion’s Second Decade in Scottsdale, Arizona. Show dates are February 3rd  (arrival day) through February 7th (departure day), 2015. For more information, please contact Howard Hauben at HH@CenturionJewelry.com or 516-331-5586. Visit Centurion online at www.centurionjewelry.com.