Are CODA Actors Deaf in Real Life?

Are CODA Actors Deaf in Real Life? Well, this is the question that is causing people’s minds to whirl these days. So, let’s delve a little more into this to learn more about it. So, ‘CODA,’ directed by Sian Heder, is a remake of the French film ‘La Famille Bélier,’ which follows Ruby, a 17-year-old girl who is the only hearing member of a deaf family. She assists her parents and brother with their fishing company and networking, but it is after joining the school choir that she discovers her true passion for music. Ruby is divided between her goals and her love for her family, who rely on her when her teacher suggests she explore pursuing professional music education.

With its realistic narrative, ‘CODA’ tugs at everyone’s heartstrings as a wonderful picture of the hardships and dilemmas of deaf parents and their children, as well as the unconditional love shared by a family. Furthermore, the nuanced performances of the comedy-drama film’s cast members not only make the audience laugh and cry along with them but also make them wonder if the film includes any deaf performers. Let’s get to know them a little better, shall we?

Are CODA Actors Deaf in Real Life?

Yes, three of the main characters in ‘CODA’ are deaf. Troy Kotsur (Ruby’s father Frank), Marlee Matlin (Ruby’s mother Jackie), and Daniel Durant (Ruby’s brother Leo) are the individuals in question. Director Sian Heder was the first to cast Marlee. She has received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For her playing debut in the film ‘Children of a Lesser God,’ the actress earned the first two honors.

Marlee was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards for her role as Tess Kaufman in the police drama TV series ‘Reasonable Doubts.’ She is also a member of the National Association of the Deaf and collaborates with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on the usage of subtitles and captions on for-your-consideration screenings. When Marlee was cast as Jackie, she demanded that the other two deaf characters are performed by deaf actors, or she would leave the film.

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In a January 2021 interview, the actor discussed how the film is approachable to non-deaf people because it presents deaf individuals in everyday situations. Sian cast actor Troy Kotsur as Frank after seeing him in two Deaf West Theater shows in Los Angeles, thanks to Marlee’s persuasion. Troy is a well-known theatrical performer who has appeared in a number of critically praised plays, as well as the television series ‘Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye’ and the films ‘The Number 23’ and ‘Universal Signs.’ He also appeared in and directed the film ‘No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie.’

Sian eventually chose actor Daniel Durant for the role of Leo after a series of auditions. He is well recognized for his role as Matthew in the television show “Switched at Birth.” All three actors had previously worked together in the Deaf West Theatre production of ‘Spring Awakening.’ In addition, Emilia Jones, who plays Ruby, spent nine months learning American Sign Language and taking vocal training in order to prepare for the role.

Apart from the actors, the film’s director enlisted the assistance of ASL experts Alexandria Wailes and Anne Tomasetti to have a deeper knowledge of the deaf population and communicate more closely with the cast. Sian’s and the other actors’ efforts paid off on screen, as their real-life experiences and talent were able to make a lasting impression on CODA. Audiences and critics alike adore the film, which has received numerous significant award nominations.

Troy became the first deaf actor to win the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and the first deaf actor to be nominated for the same category at the 94th Academy Awards for his nuanced and heartbreaking portrayal as Frank in CODA. “You have to go a little bit outside the box and present more alternatives instead of only having two options,” Troy said in an interview about the need to effectively represent the deaf population in films and television. You know, you’re creating this script because someone is deaf, or I’m writing it because there’s a deaf character in it. There’s a difference there.”

As a result, the authentic performances of the deaf and hearing cast members, as well as the vision of director Sian Heder, can justifiably be considered to have brought CODA to life. Hopefully, the film will pave the way for more inclusive films that highlight deaf performers and staff members’ remarkable abilities.

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