Paul Raci

Paul Raci (; born April 7, 1948) is an American character actor. A veteran of stage, film and television, he has appeared in a variety of projects, including small roles in Baskets and Parks and Recreation. In 2021, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Sound of Metal.

Life and career Raci was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Laurel and Mitchell Raci. His family is of Polish descent, originally surnamed Racibożyński. He was raised as the hearing son of deaf parents, and is fluent in American Sign Language. Raci was a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy, attaining the rank of Petty Officer Second Class (HM2). He served aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) from 1969 to 1973, serving two tours in Vietnam.

Raci received critical acclaim for his performance as Joe, the deaf mentor to the main character in Sound of Metal, released in 2020. For this role, he received the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor and other accolades, including an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, and nominations for both the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. According to director Darius Marder, several high-profile actors were approached for the role, but for the sake of authenticity, Raci was selected because of his upbringing.

In 2021, he was selected by BJ Sam, the Nigerian international singer and producer, to represent the United States in the first universal Christmas music project with other global music icons including Bollywood playback singer Jaspinder Narula, Ghanaian singer Diana Hopeson, and Swiss actress Christina Zurbrügg.

Filmography Film

Television Year Title Role Notes1992 Baywatch Dan Episode: "Big Monday" L.A. Law INS Agent Gruber Episode: "P.S. Your Shrink Is Dead"1995 Æon Flux Tweeka / Onan 2 episodes; voice role The Marshal Photographer Episode: "These Foolish Things" 1997–1999 Todd McFarlane's Spawn Additional Voices 6 episodes 1998 The Visitor Dark Grey Suit Episode: "The Trial" 2000 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Lie Detector Operator Episode: "Blood Drops" 2002 ER Mr. Spencer Episode: "It's All in Your Head"2003 The Handler Nicky Episode: "Under Color of Law" 10-8: Officers on Duty Manager Episode: "The Wild Bunch" 2004 The Practice Ralph 'Spinny' Spinaci Episode: "New Hoods on the Block"2006 Scrubs Drunk Guy Episode: "My Jiggly Ball" Las Vegas Kenny Roman Episode: "And Here's Mike with the Weather" Lucky Louie Cal Episode: "Drinking" Heroes Ernie the Weasel Episode: "Chapter Six 'Better Halves'" 2008 Life Scruffy Man Episode: "Jackpot" 2009 Free Radio Homeless Man Episode: "KDOG"2010 Parks and Recreation Eugene Episode: "The Possum" Persons Unknown Sherman Golightly Episode: "And Then There Was One" 2011 Switched at Birth Interpreter 2 episodes 2012 Rizzoli & Isles Apartment Manager Episode: "Welcome to the Dollhouse" 2018 Goliath Dwight Episode: "Diablo Verde" 2019 Baskets Bart / Peter Gabriel's Drummer Episode: "Homemakers" 2023 Perry MasonLydell McCutcheon Recurring; 8 episodes

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 1985 Jeff Award Actor in a Principal Role – Play Children of a Lesser God 2020 Boston Society of Film Critics Best Supporting ActorSound of Metal Chicago Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Florida Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actor Los Angeles Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor 2021 Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor Austin Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor BAFTA Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Critics' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Detroit Film Critics SocietyBest Supporting Actor Dorian Awards Georgia Film Critics Association Hollywood Critics Association Houston Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actor Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Male National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor National Society of Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actor Online Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actor San Diego Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actor San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actor Seattle Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actor St. Louis Film Critics Association Best Supporting Actor Toronto Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actor