Heartwarming Moment: Camryn Manheim Uses Real-Life ASL Skills to Help Deaf Characters on Law & Order

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Camryn Manheim, who plays the tough-as-nails Lieutenant Kate Dixon on Law & Order, has a hidden talent: she’s fluent in American Sign Language. This incredible skill recently came into play in a powerful episode that highlighted the importance of representation and inclusion.

In the episode, a security guard named Ryan Marley is brought in for questioning, accused of killing a wealthy condominium developer. But Ryan’s situation is complicated by the fact that he’s a single father to a deaf pre-teen daughter, Alex.

With Alex by his side, Ryan faces a difficult interrogation. The precinct, bustling with activity, isn’t exactly a welcoming environment for a young girl already dealing with a stressful situation.

Enter Patrick Dixon, Kate’s adult son. Patrick, played by deaf actor James Caverly, is a teacher at The School for the Deaf.  When Alex reaches out to him for support, he rushes to the precinct to be by her side.

The moment Patrick enters the interrogation room, the atmosphere shifts.

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He immediately signs to Kate, asking “What’s going on? What’re you doing here?”

Kate, without missing a beat, signs back “Alex Marley is one of my students,” Patrick responds. “Ryan called me, asked me to come. They don’t have any other family to reach out to.”

The scene unfolds seamlessly, a testament to Camryn Manheim’s real-life fluency in ASL.  She didn’t just learn a few phrases for the role;  she’s a passionate advocate for the deaf community and has been signing for years.