Oscars 2022: CODA star Troy Kotsur becomes first deaf male actor to win an Oscar and second deaf performer to win overall 2022 : Bollywood News

CODA star Troy Kotsur made history tonight at the 2022 Oscars. The 53-year-old actor has become the second deaf performer to win the Academy Award and the first deaf male actor to ever take home the trophy.

Oscars 2022: CODA star Troy Kotsur becomes first deaf male actor to win an Oscar and second deaf performer to win overall

With his victory for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Troy Kotsur became the second deaf performer to win after his CODA co-star and on-screen wife Marlee Matlin won Best Actress 35 years ago for her role in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God.

“This is amazing to be here on this journey. I cannot believe I'm here. Thank you so much to all the members of the Academy for recognizing my work,” he said, before telling the audience about his recent trip to the White House with his fellow CODA crew. He joked that he wanted to teach President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden “dirty sign language” but Matlin told him "to behave."

He then went on to thank “all of the wonderful deaf theater stages” where he was able to develop his craft over the years and, quoting Steven Spielberg, called director Sian Heder "the best communicator" for bringing the deaf and hearing community together.

“My dad, he was the best signer in our family. But he was in a car accident and became paralyzed from the neck down,” he said in his moving acceptance speech, noting that his father could no longer sign after that. “Dad, I learned so much from you. I’ll always love you. You are my hero. This is dedicated to the deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community; this is our moment!” he added.

In the best supporting actor category, Troy Kotsur was up against Ciaran Hinds of Belfast, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jesse Plemons of The Power of the Dog and JK Simmons of Being the Ricardos. During the entire awards season, Kotsur bagged a number of accolades in his name, including the BAFTAs, Indie Spirits, Gotham, and SAG Awards Critics Choice Awards trophies, for his portrayal of lovable but tough dad and fisherman Frank Rossi in the Apple TV+ film. The heartwarming indie was also up for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at this year's Oscars earning total 3 Oscars in its name.

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