As Troy Kotsur thinks about what his Oscar will mean to him, he starts to cry. “I was so tired of financially struggling for so many years,” he says through an interpreter. “Now, receiving these awards — it’s saved my life, my career, my family.”
” co-star Marlee Matlin, who took home best actress in 1987 for “Children of a Lesser God”). His turn as the lusty fisherman Frank Rossi in “CODA” became a favorite of this awards season, and so did appearances from the affable 53-year-old performer, a working Los Angeles stage actor who until recently was not a known entity in Hollywood.
Still, starring in “CODA” has enriched his life in other ways. The cast and director Siân Heder recently visited the White House, where they met with Dr. Jill Biden. The first lady was so charmed, she asked if they wanted to say hello to “Joe,” and before they knew it, they were in the Oval Office with the president of the United States. “I’ll never forget him grabbing my arm, and he put me into his office chair,” Kotsur recalls. “He stood behind me and started massaging my shoulders.
“I’m deaf … big deal. What can I do? I could play golf, go fishing, go camping, have sex, but my dad could not. He couldn’t even feed himself. My dad taught me sacrifice and courage.” Over a lengthy interview, Kotsur discusses his Oscar journey, how “Tom and Jerry” made him want to be an actor and if there could be a sequel to “CODA.”It’s been amazing to reach this point. Our film has reached so many people and touched so many. I’m very proud of that. It’s been such a rich experience for me.On the first day of shooting, I remember seeing all of the crew members being very nervous and not knowing how to interact or work with deaf actors.
I’d have to ask my mom or brothers to interpret for me. Sometimes he’d try to use a pencil or type keys on a computer. I had to wait a few minutes and wait to see what my dad was saying. It was a challenge to communicate with him, but he was patient.
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