Were The Actors In CODA Deaf? Cast Details

The 2021 film CODA made history as the first movie with a predominantly Deaf cast to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. But were the actors in CODA deaf in real life? The answer reveals a significant shift in how Hollywood approaches Deaf representation, and why authentic casting matters for the entire Deaf community.

The Deaf Cast of CODA

Three of the four Rossi family members in CODA are played by actors who are Deaf in real life. Troy Kotsur, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as father Frank Rossi, has been Deaf since birth. Kotsur grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and attended the Arizona School for the Deaf, where he discovered his passion for acting.

Marlee Matlin, who plays mother Jackie Rossi, is perhaps the most well-known Deaf actress in Hollywood history. Matlin lost most of her hearing at 18 months old and has been a trailblazer for Deaf actors since winning her own Academy Award for Children of a Lesser God in 1987. Her involvement in CODA brought decades of advocacy for Deaf representation to the project.

Daniel Durant, who portrays older brother Leo Rossi, is also Deaf. Durant grew up in a hearing family and attended a mainstream school before transferring to the Michigan School for the Deaf, an experience that closely mirrors his character’s journey of navigating between Deaf and hearing worlds.

Emilia Jones, who plays the hearing daughter Ruby Rossi, is not Deaf. As the titular CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), her character is the only hearing member of the family. Jones spent nine months learning American Sign Language before filming began, working closely with a Deaf ASL instructor to ensure her signing appeared natural and fluent on screen.

Why Authentic Deaf Casting Matters

For decades, hearing actors played Deaf characters in major films and television shows. This practice drew increasing criticism from the Deaf community and disability advocates, who argued it was comparable to other forms of representational erasure. When hearing actors simulate sign language, the nuances of facial grammar, spatial reference, and natural rhythm are often lost.

Director Sian Heder made the deliberate decision to cast Deaf actors in all three Deaf roles. This commitment went beyond symbolism. Deaf actors bring an authenticity to their language use that hearing actors simply cannot replicate, no matter how much training they receive. The emotional weight of a signed conversation, the humor in visual wordplay, and the cultural references embedded in Deaf communication all come naturally to Deaf performers.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) has long advocated for authentic casting, pointing out that Deaf actors face enormous barriers to employment in Hollywood. When the few Deaf roles available are given to hearing actors, it compounds an already significant disparity. CODA demonstrated that authentic casting does not limit a film’s commercial or critical success — quite the opposite.

ASL in the Film

American Sign Language plays a central role in CODA, functioning as the primary language of the Rossi household. The film features extensive ASL dialogue, often without voiceover, requiring hearing audiences to read subtitles. This creative choice places viewers in a position similar to Ruby’s — bridging two linguistic worlds.

The ASL used in the film is natural and colloquial, reflecting how a real Deaf family would communicate at home. Troy Kotsur, in particular, was known for improvising signed dialogue and incorporating Deaf humor that added depth to his character. His signing style includes the kind of regional variation and personal expression that distinguishes native signers from learners.

Several scenes showcase the richness of ASL as a visual language. The dinner table scenes, where the family argues and jokes simultaneously, demonstrate the spatial grammar and facial expressions that make ASL a fully developed language with its own syntax and poetic structure. These scenes also highlight the isolation Ruby feels as the family’s interpreter, a common experience for children of Deaf adults.

For viewers inspired to learn ASL after watching the film, starting with basic signs like hello, thank you, and love provides a foundation. The emotional resonance of the film’s signed performances has motivated many hearing people to begin studying sign language.

CODA’s Impact on Deaf Representation

CODA’s Best Picture win at the 94th Academy Awards marked a watershed moment for Deaf representation in media. Troy Kotsur became the first Deaf man and only the second Deaf person (after Marlee Matlin) to win an acting Oscar. His acceptance speech, delivered in ASL, was met with the Deaf applause gesture — hands raised and waving — from the audience.

The film’s success opened doors for more projects featuring Deaf actors and storylines. Streaming platforms and studios began actively seeking Deaf talent and Deaf-led stories, recognizing both the artistic value and commercial viability of inclusive casting. The industry shift, while still ongoing, can trace a clear line back to CODA’s critical and commercial breakthrough.

Beyond Hollywood, the film increased public awareness of Deaf culture and the CODA experience. Organizations like CODA International reported increased interest and inquiries following the film’s release. Educational institutions noted a surge in ASL course enrollment, with many students citing the film as their inspiration.

The film also sparked important conversations about accessibility in cinema. Apple TV+, which distributed CODA, ensured the film was available with comprehensive captions and audio descriptions from launch. This attention to accessibility set a standard that other distributors have since worked to match.

What Is a CODA?

The term CODA stands for Child of Deaf Adults. It refers to hearing individuals who were raised by one or more Deaf parents. CODAs often grow up bilingual, using both sign language and spoken language from early childhood. This bicultural upbringing gives them a unique perspective that bridges the Deaf and hearing worlds.

Approximately 90 percent of Deaf parents have hearing children, making the CODA experience more common than many people realize. These children frequently serve as informal interpreters for their parents from a very young age, navigating phone calls, doctor appointments, and school meetings. The film portrays this dynamic honestly, showing both the deep bond it creates and the pressure it places on young people.

CODAs often describe feeling caught between two cultures. In the hearing world, they may feel different from peers who do not share their experience. In the Deaf community, they hold a respected but distinct position as hearing members of Deaf families. This dual identity is a central theme of the film and resonates deeply with real CODAs who saw their experiences reflected on screen for the first time.

CODA International and similar organizations provide support, community, and resources for children of Deaf adults. They host conferences and regional events where CODAs of all ages can connect with others who share their unique upbringing. The film brought unprecedented visibility to these organizations and the communities they serve.

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