Winning an Oscar was a golden moment for Troy Kotsur.
The “CODA” star, who is one of multiple Deaf performers in the heartfelt film’s main cast, was named best supporting actor at Sunday’s ceremony for his performance in the movie as the central family’s patriarch.
“I was so tired of financially struggling for so many years,” Kotsur told Variety through an interpreter in an interview published Wednesday. “Now, receiving these awards — it’s saved my life, my career, my family.
“I’ve taken so many risks, and without these nominations and awards, I don’t know what would have happened,” he said, before adding, “I’d be working at a fast-food restaurant or as a grocery bagger.”
Kotsur, who has a 16-year-old daughter with his wife of more than two decades, is the first Deaf male actor to win an Oscar, and the second Deaf performer. The first was his “CODA” co-star Marlee Matlin, who was best supporting actress in 1987 for her performance in the drama “Children of a Lesser God.”
During an uplifting acceptance speech, Kotsur referred to his father as his hero. Kotsur told Variety he was 17 when his dad become paralyzed from the neck down after his car was struck by a drunk driver.
“I’m Deaf … big deal. What can I do?” Kotsur told the magazine. “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.”
In addition to his Oscar, Kotsur won honors this year at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards and BAFTA Awards for his “CODA” performance. He was also nominated at the Golden Globes.
“CODA,” which centers on a child of Deaf adults who dreams of going to music school but struggles with leaving her close-knit family, is an Apple film. It was named best picture at Sunday’s Academy Awards, making it the first streaming movie and the first film with a predominantly Deaf cast to receive the Oscars’ top prize.
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