Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur also developed Tusken Sign Language, which he used in his role in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian
Troy Kotsur made history on Sunday by becoming the first male deaf actor to win an Oscar for his powerful performance in CODA, although a recent resurfaced interview revealed he has an interesting connection to the Star Wars universe.
The 53-year-old actor’s last role before CODA was as Tusken Raider Scout #1 in the fifth episode of the first season of The Mandalorian in 2019.
His character communicated with Pedro Pascal’s titular character through sign language, although he revealed in a January 2020 interview with The Daily Moth that he had created an entirely new sign language for the character.
History: Troy Kotsur made history on Sunday by becoming the first male deaf actor to win an Oscar for his powerful performance in CODA, although a recent resurfaced interview revealed he has an interesting connection to the Star Wars universe
Mandalorian: The 53-year-old actor’s last role before CODA was as Tusken Raider Scout #1 in the fifth episode of the first season of The Mandalorian in 2019
The Mandalorian episode, titled The Gunslinger, follows the title character as he searches for a bounty in Tatooine.
While encountering some Tusken Raiders there, a hearing crew member who knew American Sign Language (ASL) suggested a form of sign language for the Tusken Raiders to use.
This led to the hiring of Kotsur, both as an actor to play the Tusken Raider Scout and to develop the Tusken Sign Language himself.
Scout: This led to the hiring of Kotsur, both as an actor to play the Tusken Raider Scout and to develop the Tusken Sign Language itself
“I’ve been researching the culture and environment of the Tusken Raiders. I was researching the desert called “Sand People”. That’s what Luke Skywalker calls them “sand people,” Kotsur said.
He added that his goal is to “avoid” using ASL, adding, “I made sure it became Tusken Sign Language based on their culture and environment.”
He shared the character for the Mandalorian in the interview, which is based on the “M” character and features a cross over the face, similar to the Mandalorian’s unique mask.
Research: “I’ve been researching the culture and environment of the Tusken Raiders. I was researching the desert called “Sand People”. That’s what Luke Skywalker calls them “sand people,” Kotsur said
He added that getting the part on the show was a “blessing” since he’s been a Star Wars fan since he was eight years old.
“When I was eight years old, I dreamed of being part of Star Wars. Many, many years later, almost 40 years later – it’s destiny,” he said.
Kotsur was only the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, after his CODA colleague Marlee Matlin, who won Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God in 1987.
Blessings: He added that getting the part on the show is a “blessing” as he’s been a Star Wars fan since he was eight years old
Second, Kotsur was only the second deaf actor to win an Oscar, after his CODA colleague Marlee Matlin, who won Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God in 1987
CODA stands for Children of Deaf Adults, with the film following a young woman (Emilia Jones) – the only one in her family who can hear.
She tries to fulfill her dreams as a singer, although her family (Kotsur, Matlin, Daniel Durant) needs her for their fishing business.
Kotsur is set to star in the TV series The Last Police and the film Flash Before the Bang alongside his wife Deanne Bray.
Movie: CODA stands for Children of Deaf Adults, with the movie following a young woman (Emilia Jones) – the only one in her family who can hear
Family: She is trying to fulfill her dreams as a singer although her family (Kotsur, Matlin, Daniel Durant) needs her for their fishing business