Events & Awards

Speakers for 2015 Centurion show announced

Events & AwardsNov 23, 2014

Speakers for 2015 Centurion show announced

Actors Henry Winkler and Marlee Matlin will open the education sessions at Centurion in February, taking the stage to talk about triumphing over adversity. 

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Henry Winkler, best known for playing “The Fonz” on “Happy Days,” and Marlee Matlin, who remains the only deaf actress to win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, will speak at Centurion in February.

Merrick, N.Y.--Actors Henry Winkler and Marlee Matlin will open the education sessions at Centurion in February, taking the stage to talk about triumphing over adversity.

The two will speak on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the show, which is scheduled to take place Feb. 3 to 7 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Matlin, who lost her hearing when she was only 18 months old, became the youngest recipient of the Academy Award for Best Actress at the age of 21 when she won for Children of a Lesser God in 1987. She currently stars in the ABC Family series Switched at Birth.

Along with her successful acting career, Matlin also has dedicated herself to raising awareness for various humanitarian causes, including LGBT rights and diversity, and is raising awareness for better hearing health for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adults in developing countries. She also is an advocate for children and those struggling with domestic abuse and addiction. 

Winkler’s role as Arthur Fonzarelli, better known as “The Fonz,” in the television show Happy Days made him one of the most widely recognized actors in the world. He won two consecutive Golden Globe awards for Best Actor for the role in 1976 and 1977, and garnered three Emmy nominations in the same category. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2003 he began co-writing a series of children’s books called Hank Zipzer: The World’s Great Underachiever, inspired by his own personal struggle throughout his education due to learning challenges. He also has used his celebrity to help others over the years, especially children. 

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

For more information about the show, contact Hauben by emailing hh@centurionjewelry.com  or calling 516-331-5586. 

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

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