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.

Early life and education Kotsur was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, the largest suburb of Phoenix, on July 24, 1968, to JoDee (née True) and Leonard Stephen "Len" Kotsur, who was Mesa's police chief. When Kotsur was nine months old, his parents discovered that he was deaf and they learned American Sign Language so the family could communicate. His parents encouraged Kotsur to play sports and to make friends with hearing children in their neighborhood. Kotsur attended the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, where he first became interested in acting. He graduated from Westwood High School, where his drama teacher encouraged him to participate in the senior variety show. He performed a pantomime skit that was positively received and motivated him to pursue theater.

After Kotsur graduated from high school, he interned at KTSP-TV (later KSAZ-TV). While he had aspired to direct films, during the internship he assisted an editor and did not feel connected with people, recalling: "My directing dream poofed after I accepted the fact that I lived in a world that did not use my language." He then attended Gallaudet University from 1987 to 1989 and studied theater, television and film.

Career When Kotsur received an acting job offer from the National Theatre of the Deaf, he accepted it and left Gallaudet to tour with NTD for two years, performing in two plays. In 1994, he started working at Deaf West Theatre in Los Angeles, California, acting in and directing several productions.

In 2001, Kotsur and hearing actor Lyle Kanouse were cast together in a Deaf West Theatre production of the 1985 musical Big River. Kotsur and Kanouse both played Huckleberry Finn's father Pap, with Kotsur signing and Kanouse speaking and singing. Big Rivers success led to the play being performed at the Mark Taper Forum, then to a Broadway revival under Roundabout Theater Company and Deaf West at the American Airlines Theater in New York City.

In 2012, Kotsur starred in the play Cyrano, based on Cyrano de Bergerac and a co-production of Deaf West Theatre and The Fountain Theatre. The play, directed by Stephen Sachs, premiered in April 2012.

In 2016 he starred in Deborah LaVine's independent feature, Wild Prairie Rose. The film won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy award at the Heartland International Film Festival.

In The Mandalorian, the Tusken Raiders use a sign language, and Kotsur was brought on to develop the conlang. He did not mention that he was also an actor for fear that it would come across as sycophantic. But after they found out from his manager, he was cast to play the lead Tusken Raider.

In 2021, Kotsur appeared in the feature film CODA in a supporting role as the deaf father of a hearing teenage daughter. Director Sian Heder first saw his performances in Deaf West productions of Our Town and Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo and cast him as part of the ensemble. NPR reported that Kotsur's performance in the film "awed both audiences and critics."

In 2025, Kotsur appeared in Foundation as Preem Palver, leader of the Second Foundation.

Kotsur is set to star in Flash Before the Bang, a sports drama television show with an all-deaf cast.

Awards

Kotsur has received numerous awards for his performances, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor, Gotham Independent Film Award for Outstanding Supporting Performance, Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. His win of the Oscar made him the first male deaf actor, second overall (after Marlee Matlin) to win an Academy Award for acting. He received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2026.

Personal life Kotsur is married to Deanne Bray. On September 8, 2005, their daughter, Kyra Monique Kotsur, was born. Kotsur is Catholic.

Acting credits

Film

Television

Theatre + Year Title Role Notes 1989 In a Room Somewhere Play by Suzan Zeder, directed by Victor Brown 2001 Big River Pap Finn/The Duke Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse; produced under Deaf West Theatre 2012 Cyrano Cyrano Based on Cyrano de Bergerac; produced under Deaf West Theatre

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