Troy Kotsur | |
|---|---|
 Kotsur at the 2022Santa Barbara International Film Festival | |
| Born | Troy Michael Kotsur (1968-07-24)July 24, 1968 (age 57)[1] Mesa, Arizona, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (2022) |
Troy Michael Kotsur (/ˈkɒtsər/; born July 24, 1968) is an American actor. Borndeaf, Kotsur made his acting debut in the late 1980s working with theNational Theatre of the Deaf. His television debut was in a 2001 episode ofStrong Medicine. His film debut was in the 2007 thrillerThe Number 23. His accolades include aBAFTA Award, anAcademy Award, and a nomination for aGolden Globe Award.
After making hisBroadway debut in a 2003 revival ofBig River, Kotsur's performance in a 2012 production ofCyrano earned him a nomination for theOvation Award for Best Actor in a Play. He directed and starred in the filmNo Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie (2013) and gained wider attention with his guest role in theDisney+ seriesThe Mandalorian (2019). Kotsur's portrayal of adeaf father in thecomedy drama filmCODA (2021) was critically acclaimed and won him theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making himthe first male deaf actor, and second overall (afterMarlee Matlin[a])to win an acting Oscar.
Kotsur was born and raised inMesa, Arizona,[2][3] the largest suburb of Phoenix, on July 24, 1968, to JoDee (née True) and Leonard Stephen "Len" Kotsur, who was Mesa's police chief.[4] When Kotsur was nine months old, his parents discovered that he was deaf and they learnedAmerican 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 thePhoenix Day School for the Deaf, where he first became interested in acting. He graduated fromWestwood 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.[5]
After Kotsur graduated from high school, he interned at KTSP-TV (now known asKSAZ-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."[6] He then attendedGallaudet University from 1987 to 1989 and studied theater, television, and film.[7]
When Kotsur received an acting job offer from theNational 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 atDeaf West Theatre inLos Angeles, California, acting in and directing several productions.[7] On stage, his roles included Stanley inA Streetcar Named Desire, Lenny inOf Mice and Men, andPrince Hamlet inOphelia.[8]
In 2001, Kotsur and hearing actor Lyle Kanouse were cast together in a Deaf West Theatre production of the 1985 musicalBig River. Kotsur and Kanouse both playedHuckleberry Finn's father Pap, with Kotsur signing and Kanouse speaking and singing.Big River's success led to the play being performed at theMark Taper Forum, then to aBroadway revival underRoundabout Theater Company and Deaf West at theAmerican Airlines Theater in New York City.[8] He also had a recurring role onSue Thomas: F.B.Eye, as well as working as an ASL specialist for the show.[9]
In 2012, Kotsur starred in the playCyrano, based onCyrano de Bergerac and a co-production ofDeaf West Theatre andThe Fountain Theatre. The play, directed byStephen Sachs, premiered in April 2012.[7] FollowingCyrano, Kotsur directed the feature filmNo Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie, which premiered at theHeartland Film Festival in 2013.[10]
In 2016 he starred inDeborah LaVine's independent feature,Wild Prairie Rose.[11] The film won the Jimmy Stewart Legacy award at theHeartland International Film Festival.[12]
InThe Mandalorian, the Tusken Raiders use a sign language, and Kotsur was brought on to develop theconlang. 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.[13][14]
In 2021, Kotsur appeared in the feature filmCODA in a supporting role as the deaf father of a hearing teenage daughter. DirectorSian Heder first saw his performances in Deaf West productions ofOur Town andEdward 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."[15] Kotsur received numerous awards for his performance, including theAcademy 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 andScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. His win of theOscar made himthe first male deaf actor, second overall (afterMarlee Matlin[a])to win an Academy Award for acting.[16]
In 2025, Kotsur appeared inFoundation as Preem Palver, leader of the Second Foundation.
Kotsur is set to star inFlash Before the Bang, a sports drama television show with an all-deaf cast.[17]
| 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 | |
| Primate | Adam | ||
| TBA | 47 Meters Down: The Wreck† | [18] |
| 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 #1 | Episode: "Chapter 5: The Gunslinger" |
| 2023 | Superbowl LVII[19] | himself | National Anthem interpreter |
| 2024 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Himself | Episode: "Vertical Drop, Horizontal Tug" |
| 2025 | Foundation | Preem Palver | Season 3 |
| Black Rabbit | Joe Mancuso | Miniseries |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | In a Room Somewhere | Play by Suzan Zeder, directed by Victor Brown | [7] | |
| 1991–1992 | Treasure Island | Based onTreasure Island; tour underNational Theatre of the Deaf | [7] | |
| 1992–1993 | Ophelia | Hamlet | Based onHamlet's character Ophelia; tour underNational Theatre of the Deaf | [7] |
| 1993 | 25 Cents | Harry | New York Deaf Theatre production | [20] |
| 2001 | Big River | Pap Finn/The Duke | Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse; produced underDeaf West Theatre | [8] |
| 2002 | Big River | Pap Finn/The Duke | Performed atMark Taper Forum; Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse | [8] |
| 2003 | Big River | Pap Finn/The Duke | Broadway revival under Deaf West Theatre andRoundabout Theatre Company; Kotsur shared role of "Pap" with Lyle Kanouse | [21] |
| 2012 | Cyrano | Cyrano | Based onCyrano de Bergerac; produced under Deaf West Theatre | [7] |
| 2014 | Spring Awakening | Adult Men | Produced under Deaf West Theatre | [22] |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
