Troy Kotsur

Troy Michael Kotsur (; born July 24, 1968) is an American actor. Born deaf, Kotsur made his acting debut in the late 1980s working with the National Theatre of the Deaf. His television debut was in a 2001 episode of Strong Medicine. His film debut was in the 2007 thriller The Number 23. His accolades include a BAFTA Award, an Academy Award, and a nomination for a Golden Globe Award. After making his Broadway debut in a 2003 revival of Big River, Kotsur's performance in a 2012 production of Cyrano earned him a nomination for the Ovation Award for Best Actor in a Play. He directed and starred in the film No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie (2013) and gained wider attention with his guest role in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian (2019). Kotsur's portrayal of a deaf father in the comedy drama film CODA (2021) was critically acclaimed and won him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first male deaf actor, and second overall (after Marlee Matlin) to win an acting Oscar.

Infobox

Born

Troy Michael Kotsur (1968-07-24) July 24, 1968 (age 57)Mesa, Arizona, U.S.

Occupation

Actor

Years active

1989–present

Spouse

mw- Deanne Bray (m. 2001)

Children

Awards

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (2022)

Tables

· Acting credits › Film

2007

The Number 23

Role(s)

Barnaby

2008

Universal Signs

Role(s)

Chris

2009

See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary

Role(s)

—

Notes

Documentary

2013

No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie

Role(s)

Matt

Notes

Also director

2021

CODA

Role(s)

Frank Rossi

Notes

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

2025

In Cold Light

Role(s)

Will

Primate

Role(s)

Adam

TBA

Role(s)

47 Meters Down: The Wreck †

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2007	The Number 23	Barnaby
2008	Universal Signs	Chris
2009	See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary	—	Documentary
2013	No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie	Matt	Also director
2021	CODA	Frank Rossi	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
2025	In Cold Light	Will
2025	Primate	Adam
TBA	47 Meters Down: The Wreck †

· Acting credits › Television

2001

Strong Medicine

Role(s)

Lars

Notes

Episode: Fix"

2002–2005

Role(s)

Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye

Notes

Troy Myers

2003

Doc

Role(s)

Troy

Notes

Episode: "Rules of Engagement"

2006

CSI: NY

Role(s)

Dennis Mitchum

Notes

Episode: "Silent Night"

2007

Scrubs

Role(s)

Mr. Frances

Notes

Episode: "My Words of Wisdom"

2012

Criminal Minds

Role(s)

John Myers

Notes

Episode: "The Silencer"

2019

The Mandalorian

Role(s)

Tusken Raider Scout #1

Notes

Episode: "Chapter 5: The Gunslinger"

2023

Superbowl LVII

Role(s)

himself

Notes

National Anthem interpreter

2024

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Vertical Drop, Horizontal Tug"

2025

Foundation

Role(s)

Preem Palver

Notes

Season 3

Black Rabbit

Role(s)

Joe Mancuso

Notes

Miniseries

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2001	Strong Medicine	Lars	Episode: Fix"
2002–2005	Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye	Troy Myers	5 episodes
2003	Doc	Troy	Episode: "Rules of Engagement"
2006	CSI: NY	Dennis Mitchum	Episode: "Silent Night"
2007	Scrubs	Mr. Frances	Episode: "My Words of Wisdom"
2012	Criminal Minds	John Myers	Episode: "The Silencer"
2019	The Mandalorian	Tusken Raider Scout	Episode: "Chapter 5: The Gunslinger"
2023	Superbowl LVII	himself	National Anthem interpreter
2024	Curb Your Enthusiasm	Himself	Episode: "Vertical Drop, Horizontal Tug"
2025	Foundation	Preem Palver	Season 3
2025	Black Rabbit	Joe Mancuso	Miniseries

· Acting credits › Theatre

1989

In a Room Somewhere

Notes

Play by Suzan Zeder, directed by Victor Brown

1991–1992

Role(s)

Treasure Island

1992–1993

Role(s)

Ophelia

Notes

Hamlet

1993

25 Cents

Role(s)

Harry

Notes

New York Deaf Theatre production

2001

Big River

Role(s)

Pap Finn/The Duke

Notes

Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse; produced under Deaf West Theatre

2002

Big River

Role(s)

Pap Finn/The Duke

Notes

Performed at Mark Taper Forum; Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse

2003

Big River

Role(s)

Pap Finn/The Duke

Notes

Broadway revival under Deaf West Theatre and Roundabout Theatre Company; Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse

2012

Cyrano

Role(s)

Cyrano

Notes

Based on Cyrano de Bergerac; produced under Deaf West Theatre

2014

Spring Awakening

Role(s)

Adult Men

Notes

Produced under Deaf West Theatre

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
1989	In a Room Somewhere		Play by Suzan Zeder, directed by Victor Brown
1991–1992	Treasure Island		Based on Treasure Island; tour under National Theatre of the Deaf
1992–1993	Ophelia	Hamlet	Based on Hamlet's character Ophelia; tour under National Theatre of the Deaf
1993	25 Cents	Harry	New York Deaf Theatre production
2001	Big River	Pap Finn/The Duke	Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse; produced under Deaf West Theatre
2002	Big River	Pap Finn/The Duke	Performed at Mark Taper Forum; Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse
2003	Big River	Pap Finn/The Duke	Broadway revival under Deaf West Theatre and Roundabout Theatre Company; Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse
2012	Cyrano	Cyrano	Based on Cyrano de Bergerac; produced under Deaf West Theatre
2014	Spring Awakening	Adult Men	Produced under Deaf West Theatre

· Accolades

2012

Ovation Awards

Role(s)

Best Lead Actor in a Play

Notes

Cyrano

2021

Academy Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor

Notes

CODA

British Academy Film Awards

Role(s)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Notes

Won

Critics' Choice Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor

Notes

Won

Golden Globe Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture

Notes

Nominated

Gotham Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Supporting Performance

Notes

Won

Independent Spirit Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Male

Notes

Won

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

Notes

Won

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Role(s)

Won

Year	Organizations	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
2012	Ovation Awards	Best Lead Actor in a Play	Cyrano	Nominated
2021	Academy Awards	Best Supporting Actor	CODA	Won
	British Academy Film Awards	Best Actor in a Supporting Role		Won
	Critics' Choice Awards	Best Supporting Actor		Won
	Golden Globe Awards	Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture		Nominated
	Gotham Awards	Outstanding Supporting Performance		Won
	Independent Spirit Awards	Best Supporting Male		Won
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture		Won
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role		Won

References

Matlin, who stars opposite Kotsur in CODA, won Best Actress in 1986 for Children of a Lesser God.
UPI
https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/07/24/Famous-birthdays-for-July-24-Elisabeth-Moss-Anna-Paquin/5841658632194/
ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV)
https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/television/oscars/mesas-troy-kotsurs-historic-oscar-win-opens-doors-for-deaf-stories
web.archive.org
https://web.archive.org/web/20220827000000*/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2022/08/14/oscar-winner-troy-kotsur-coda-awarded-key-city-mesa/10323984002/
"Mesa-born deaf actor makes film history with Oscar nomination"
https://www.12news.com/article/entertainment/mesa-born-deaf-actor-troy-kotsur-makes-film-history-with-oscar-nomination/75-e91fd69b-0438-447e-a25d-494c2fca1785
East Valley Tribune
https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/sound-fury-and-success-on-stage/article_b6527fd8-8065-505e-b052-7ddeb4714051.html
The Arizona Republic
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2014/12/01/deaf-actor-mesa-directs-first-movie/19735013/
deafpeople.com
https://www.deafpeople.com/dp_of_month/KotsurTroy.html
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/20/theater/theater-big-river-sings-and-signs-on-broadway.html
IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1319274/
Canyon News
https://www.canyon-news.com/no-ordinary-hero-returns-to-big-screen/3912
Wild Prairie Rose
https://wildprairierosethemovie.com/
Inside INdiana Business
https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/heartland-film-festival-names-2016-winners
Nerdist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QQvRhdJsyA
Coffee with Joel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3k1-h02hE4
npr.org
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/08/1025124051/troy-kotsur-coda-deaf-actor-mandalorian-criminal-minds
"CODA's Troy Kotsur is now the first Deaf man to win an Oscar for acting"
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/27/1088898875/oscars-2022-troy-kotsur-coda
TheWrap
https://www.thewrap.com/ben-affleck-matt-damon-pearl-street-boards-deaf-sports-drama-flash-before-the-bang-troy-kotsur/
JoBlo.com
https://www.joblo.com/primate-kotsur/
EW.com
https://ew.com/music/chris-stapleton-troy-kotsur-watch-2023-super-bowl-national-anthem/
"14th Anniversary Season"
https://web.archive.org/web/20220402045357/https://www.rit.edu/ntid/deaftheatre/abwnpa/dt3sandbox2/main/ScannedDocumentsPDF/TheHearingTest25Cents/TheatreProgram.pdf
Broadway Plays and Musicals: Descriptions and Essential Facts of More Than 14,000 Shows Through 2007
Playbill
https://playbill.com/article/deaf-west-theatres-immersive-spring-awakening-directed-by-michael-arden-extends-com-331238
NPR
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/27/1088898875/oscars-2022-troy-kotsur-coda
Variety
https://variety.com/2022/film/news/bafta-2022-awards-nominations-full-list-1235170992/
criticschoice.com
http://criticschoice.com/2021/12/film-nominations-announced-for-the-27th-annual-critics-choice-awards/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/13/movies/golden-globes-nominees-list.html
thegotham.org
https://thegotham.org/press/31st-annual-gotham-awards-winners-announced/
filmindependent.org
https://www.filmindependent.org/press-releases/2022-film-independent-spirit-awards-nominations-announced/
sagawards.org
https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/28th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards