The 2021 Academy Award-winning movie “CODA” tells the story of Ruby Rossi, a young girl whose parents are both deaf. The roles of Jackie and Frank Rossi, Ruby’s parents, are played by two real-life deaf actors, Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur. Matlin and Kotsur both have extensive experience in the deaf community, having both grown up in deaf families and having been involved in deaf culture for many years.
Marlee Matlin is a deaf actress who has been acting since the age of seven. She is the only deaf performer to have won an Academy Award, for her performance in the 1986 movie “Children of a Lesser God”. Matlin has also appeared in several television shows, including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “The L Word”. She is also an advocate for the deaf community, having founded the Marlee Matlin Communication Center, which provides resources and support for deaf people.
Troy Kotsur is another deaf actor who has been involved in the deaf community for many years. He has appeared in several television shows, including “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “The L Word”. Kotsur is also an advocate for the deaf community, having founded the Troy Kotsur Foundation, which provides resources and support for deaf people.
The casting of Matlin and Kotsur in “CODA” was a groundbreaking move, as it was the first time two deaf actors had been cast in major roles in a major motion picture. The movie was a critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The casting of Matlin and Kotsur in “CODA” was a major milestone for the deaf community, as it showed that deaf actors can play major roles in major motion pictures. It also showed that deaf actors can be successful in Hollywood, and that their stories can be told on the big screen. The success of “CODA” is a testament to the talent and determination of Matlin and Kotsur, and to the importance of representation in Hollywood.