Troy Kotsurcapped off his history-making awards season with a heartfelt speech at the 94th annualAcademy Awards.
On Sunday, the star won Best Supporting Actor for his performance inCODAas Frank Rossi, a struggling fisherman grappling with his daughter’s dreams of leaving the family — in which she serves as their interpreter, as the only hearing member — to pursue her singing dreams.
The other nominees in the category were Ciarán Hinds (Belfast),Jesse Plemons(The Power of the Dog),J.K. Simmons(Being the Ricardos) andKodi Smit-McPhee(The Power of the Dog).
In his acceptance speech, Kotsur, 53, thanked his wife and 16-year-old daughterKyra, as well as paid tribute to his father, whom he referred to as “the best signer in our family.”
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“But he was in a car accident and he became paralyzed from the neck down, and he was no longer able to sign,” the actor continued. “Dad, I learned so much from you. I’ll always love you. You are my hero.”
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Troy Kotsur (L).Neilson Barnard/Getty
Kotsur was already the first deaf man ever nominated for an acting Oscar. (The first deaf female actress nominated was hisCODAcostarMarlee Matlinback in 1987, who was the only deaf winner before Kotsur’s win.) This year, Kotsur also won the BAFTA,SAGandCritics Choice Awards.
Troy Kotsur.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
He added, “My wife has always been there to support me through 25 years. I’ve struggled as an actor and I feel like she really deserves to be with me there.”
“This is all new for us but we’re so excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me,” Kotsur said.
RELATED VIDEO: Troy Kotsur Says He’s “So Blessed” to Be an Oscar Nominee: “It Has Saved My Career”
He also spoke with PEOPLE forthis month’s Oscars portfolio, saying that at one point he “almost lost [his] family because of financial reasons and other problems.”
“I didn’t have any retirement or savings or a way to support my daughter through college, and so I was worried,” admitted Kotsur. “And I’m so blessed to have been a nominee.”
“Itreally has saved my career, and I’m able to go to the next level,” Kotsur added.
source: people.com
