Troy Kotsur

EXCLUSIVE
  • Academy Award-Winning Actor
  • First Deaf Man to Win the Oscar Award
  • Member of the Prestigious Deaf West Theatre
  • Advocate for Inclusion of the Deaf and Disabled Communities

Oscar Award-winning actor Troy Kotsur made history as the first deaf man in Academy history to win the award for his performance in CODA. Kotsur has been acting and directing for over twenty years, and is a member of the prestigious Deaf West Theatre, where he starred in productions including Cyrano, Of Mice and Men and A Streetcar Named Desire. Kotsur, who has been deaf since birth, made headlines in 2019 for his work on Disney+’s The Mandalorian – in addition to making history as the first deaf actor to appear in a Star Wars production, he created an adapted form of sign language for the series. Other notable roles include: Criminal Minds, Scrubs, CSI: NY, and a fan favorite recurring character on PAX’s Sue Thomas: FB-Eye. Kotsur is a magnetic and memorable keynote speaker, sharing insights from his path to Hollywood acclaim, impactful takeaways about expanding inclusion and opportunity for people with disabilities, and overcoming obstacles to exceed even your own expectations.

Kotsur has been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times, NBC News, CNN, Vanity Fair, NPR, The LA Times, Slate, and Forbes, which describes him as “a one-man masterclass in starpower and stage presence.” An acclaimed theatre actor, he played multiple roles in the Tony Award-winning ASL production of Big River, and was nominated for an LA Drama Circle Critics Award for his work in Deaf West’s Spring Awakening. Kotsur also won the BAFTA, SAG Award, Indie Spirit Award, and more for his performance in CODA. He directed the film No Ordinary Hero, and is currently working with Signing Animation and will star in Flash Before the Bang.

 

Troy Kotsur headshot
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Past Hosts Include:
  • CNN Life Itself Conference
  • UCLA TFT Commencement
  • Salesforce
Troy Kotsur - Daddy Issues in Film with Troy Kotsur & Emma Westenberg | Panel / SXSW - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Troy Kotsur
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The Importance of Inclusion

History-making Oscar-winning actor TROY KOTSUR has been forging his own path in the entertainment industry for over twenty years, and shares incomparable insights about how industries of all kinds can become more inclusive and celebrate the diversity of the deaf, hard of hearing, and disabled commun ...

History-making Oscar-winning actor TROY KOTSUR has been forging his own path in the entertainment industry for over twenty years, and shares incomparable insights about how industries of all kinds can become more inclusive and celebrate the diversity of the deaf, hard of hearing, and disabled communities in this magnetic and memorable talk.

Overcoming Adversity and Breaking Barriers

Oscar-winner TROY KOTSUR has navigated adversity throughout his life, going on to win numerous awards – including the Oscar – for his phenomenal performance in CODA. Deaf since his birth, Kotsur shares impactful personal stories, insights about how he cultivated his mindset of resilience, and how au ...

Oscar-winner TROY KOTSUR has navigated adversity throughout his life, going on to win numerous awards – including the Oscar – for his phenomenal performance in CODA. Deaf since his birth, Kotsur shares impactful personal stories, insights about how he cultivated his mindset of resilience, and how audiences of all kinds can participate in breaking barriers to create a more inclusive world in this authentic, humorous, and memorable talk.

In Conversation with Troy Kotsur

Award-winning actor and director TROY KOTSUR made history with his Oscar win for CODA, becoming the first deaf man to receive the award. Kotsur, whom Forbes has called “a one-man masterclass in starpower and stage presence,” engages audiences of all kinds with stories of his path to Hollywood stardo ...

Award-winning actor and director TROY KOTSUR made history with his Oscar win for CODA, becoming the first deaf man to receive the award. Kotsur, whom Forbes has called “a one-man masterclass in starpower and stage presence,” engages audiences of all kinds with stories of his path to Hollywood stardom, the obstacles he has overcome, and insights about creating more inclusive communities and workplaces in this entertaining and unforgettable talk.

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Biography

Troy Kotsur has been acting and directing for over 20 years. Deaf since birth, he was raised in Mesa, AZ. In his career he has an Oscar, a lead role in the Broadway run of a Tony Award winning play, and numerous other memorable roles in film and television.

In 2022, Troy became the first Deaf male to win an Oscar for his supporting role in the film, CODA. He is credited with being a big part of the feature's success, which included a Best Picture Oscar and the SAG Ensemble Award. Troy also won the BAFTA, SAG Award, Indie Spirit Award, Critics Choice Award, Gotham Award and others for his performance.

Much of Troy’s success has stemmed from his highly respected work on stage. His prolific career includes multiple roles in the Tony Award winning run of Big River on Broadway, performing at the Mark Taper Forum, and a role in the 2015 LA Drama Critics Circle Award nominee Spring Awakening.

In television, Troy made headlines in 2019 for his acting role in The Mandalorian on Disney+ because along with acting, he created an adapted form of sign language for the that series and The Book of Boba Fett. Other notable television roles include guest star appearances on Criminal Minds, Scrubs, CSI: NY, and a fan favorite recurring character on PAX’s Sue Thomas: FB-Eye.

Kotsur lives in Mesa, AZ with his wife and daughter.