Even with the mambo king Fabian Sanchez as her partner, the mambo turned out to be Marlee Matlin’s last dance.
As the sixth contestant to leave this season, Matlin delivered a final farewell on Tuesday’s results show with as much heart as she put into her performances.
With the audience and the judges on their feet, Matlin signed, “All I can say is thank you to the judges. … I want to thank the magnificent Fabian for giving me the most beautiful art of dance in my life.”
The 42-year-old actress also gave a special shout-out to pal Henry Winkler for “his support throughout the years.” (The Fonz made a special appearance during Matlin and Sanchez’s dance rehearsal on Monday’s show.)
Matlin, who was consistently praised by the judges (even bringing Carrie Ann Inaba to tears with her elegant Viennese waltz) received the lowest scores Monday night with 21 out of 30 for her mambo, which judge Len Goodman described as being “off.”
Still, she clearly scored with the crowd and her Dancing peers. Even Tom Bergeron praised Matlin: “Marlee and I have known each other for years, and I want to step outside the host role for a moment and tell you as a friend I’m so proud of you.”
Tell us: Are you sad to see Marlee go? Were you surprised to see Mario & Karina in the bottom two? And what did you make of Shannon & Derek’s videotaped outburst?
BOB D’AMICO/ABC
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