Troy Kotsur Makes Oscars History With ‘CODA’ Win, Dedicates Award To Deaf, Disabled Communities: “This Is Our Moment”
deadline.comTroy Kotsur’s exciting journey on the awards circuit culminated into a history-making moment at the 94th annual Oscar Awards.
On Sunday, the CODA actor took home the best supporting actor prize and became the first male actor to win for a performance in American Sign Language.Upon receiving the honor from Minari Oscar winner and Pachinko star Youn Yuh-jung, Kotsur dedicated his win to a number of communities that have often been marginalized in entertainment.“This is dedicated to the deaf community, the CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) community and the disabled community,” he said. “This is our moment.”Kotsur bested fellow nominees Ciarán Hinds, Jesse Plemons, J.K.
Simmons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Ahead of the ceremony, Kotsur received honors for the same role at the BAFTA Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, Hollywood Critics Association Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.As Youn revealed Kotsur’s name, those in attendance shook their open hands to sign applause.
During his acceptance speech, he also praised CODA helmer Siân Heder. In referencing a book by Steven Spielberg, Kotsur said that a strong director is the “best communicator.”“You are the best communicator,” he told Heder. “You brought the deaf world and the hearing world together.
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