‘CODA’ star Troy Kotsur becomes first Deaf male Oscar nominee

American actor Troy Kotsur has made history as the first Deaf man to receive an Oscar nomination, following his performance in the Apple TV+ film, CODA.

Mr Kotsur was given a nod for Actor in a Supporting Role for the 2021 movie, which sees him play the father of a hearing Child of Deaf adults (CODA) who wants to pursue a career in music.

His co-star, Marlee Matlin, was the first Deaf actor to be nominated and then receive an Academy Award in 1987, for her performance in the film Children of a Lesser God.

In an interview with ET Canada, Mr Kotsur said he was “overwhelmed and extremely blessed” to receive the Oscar nomination.

“I’m so excited. I feel like after struggling at such a long journey of 25 years of acting like [I have] finally received an honorary PhD, if you know what I mean.

“So many Deaf people are excited and the Deaf community finally feels seen and recognised with just increased awareness of American Sign Language and Deaf culture.

“I feel like I’m at home. These are my family and a lot of young Deaf actors and even folks of other diverse backgrounds – LGBT, transgender, any type of diversity – can have more hope for the future to tell their stories,” he said.

Ms Matlin took to Twitter and wrote she was “very proud and happy” for her co-star and friend, adding: “FINALLY another Deaf actor nominated for The Academy”.

In a statement to The Limping Chicken, Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), said of Mr Kotsur’s nomination: “The [NAD] is delighted that for this year at least the Academy has nominated a deserving deaf actor, Troy Kotsur, for authentically and dynamically portraying a complex dramatic role as a deaf father dealing with the coming of age of his hearing daughter.

“It is our hope that the Academy continues to recognize only deaf actors who portray deaf roles, and ceases its outdated practice of nominating and awarding hearing and able-bodied actors for mimicking deaf people and people with disabilities.”

As well as the Actor in a Supporting Role nod for Mr Kotsur, CODA was also nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay in an announcement on Tuesday.

It isn’t the only Deaf film to be nominated this year, with the short film Audible – executive produced by America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars winner Nyle DiMarco – up in the Documentary Short Subject category.

The 94th Oscars take place on 27 March.

Photo: Apple TV+.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.