Troy Kotsur says accessibility in Hollywood has improved after Coda success

Greta Lee, left, and Troy Kotsur present the award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or limited series during the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Oscar-winning deaf actor Troy Kotsur said he has seen improvements in accessibility in Hollywood following the success of 2021 film Coda.

The 55-year-old, who presented an award at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards broadcast live on Netflix, praised the streaming giant for making the show accessible for all.

“They have accessibility this year regarding closed captioning and audio description on Netflix so I am thrilled, we’re really looking forward to it,” he said, ahead of the ceremony.

Troy Kotsur attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2022 (Doug Peters/PA)

Kotsur was part of the cast of Coda about a family of deaf fishermen, which won the best picture Oscar in 2022, while Kotsur was named best supporting actor.

“In general, I have really seen some improvements and some doors beginning to open,” he said.

“Some folks have told me that there is a big production coming up with a deaf director, deaf producers and deaf actors and I’m seeing Hollywood begin to open their doors and I’m seeing more and more projects come in, and so really I have seen a lot of change.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, it does take time and it takes time for progress, we all have to work together and understand how to work together. There’s nothing about us, without us.”

Troy Kotsur, left, and Deanne Bray arrive at the 30th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kotsur appeared on stage with US actress Greta Lee, both performing sign language to present the award for best male actor in a TV movie or limited series.

It comes after a year after the Bafta film awards was criticised for a lack of diversity, following a translation error while Kotsur was presenting by sign language.

A miscommunication saw Carey Mulligan incorrectly announced as the winner of the supporting actress award for her performance in She Said, before the announcer quickly corrected themselves and confirmed Kerry Condon was the winner for The Banshees Of Inisherin.