From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Randa Haines (born February 20, 1945 in Los Angeles, California) is a film and television director and producer. She is perhaps most famous for directing the critically acclaimed feature film Children of a Lesser God (1986), which starred William Hurt and Marlee Matlin, for which Matlin won the 1987 Academy Award as best actress. Haines also won the Silver Bear at the 37th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1989, she was a member of the jury at the 39t ...