Deaf Characters in Movies

The lights dim in the theater as the opening scene of CODA unfolds. We see Ruby Rossi (played by Emilia Jones) singing on her family's fishing boat alongside her father Frank (Troy Kotsur) and brother Leo (Daniel Durant). What makes this scene remarkable isn't just the beautiful seaside setting—it's that we're watching two authentically Deaf actors portraying Deaf characters with depth, humor, and humanity. The film would go on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, marking a seismic shift in how Deaf stories are told on screen.

Film has always been a powerful medium for storytelling, capable of transporting us into different lives and experiences. When it comes to Deaf representation, the big screen offers unique opportunities—and challenges—for authentic portrayals. In this third installment of our series on Deaf representation, we're exploring how movies have depicted Deaf characters over the years, the impact of authentic casting, and the evolution we're witnessing today.

When Silence Speaks Volumes: The Evolution of Deaf Characters in Film

Hollywood's relationship with Deaf characters has undergone a remarkable transformation over decades. Early portrayals often relied on harmful stereotypes or used Deafness as a plot device rather than as one aspect of a fully-realized character. Deaf characters were frequently depicted as isolated, dependent, or in need of "fixing"—reflections of how mainstream society viewed Deafness as a deficit rather than a difference.

The 1986 release of Children of a Lesser God marked a turning point. The film featured Marlee Matlin as Sarah Norman, a Deaf woman working at a school for the Deaf who falls in love with a speech teacher. Matlin's powerful performance earned her an Academy Award—making her the first and, until recently, only Deaf performer to win an Oscar. The film's exploration of Deaf identity and the tensions between Deaf culture and the hearing world resonated with audiences and critics alike.

"What Children of a Lesser God did brilliantly was show Sarah's resistance to conforming to hearing expectations," explains Maria Johnson, who teaches film studies with a focus on disability representation. "Sarah's refusal to speak or read lips wasn't portrayed as stubborn or limiting—it was a statement about her identity and autonomy. That was revolutionary for its time."

Despite this breakthrough, progress remained slow. Deaf characters continued to appear in films, but often in supporting roles or as characters defined primarily by their Deafness rather than by their personalities, goals, or relationships.

The Authenticity Gap: Deaf Actors vs. Hearing Actors in Deaf Roles

One of the most persistent issues in Deaf representation has been the casting of hearing actors in Deaf roles. Films like The Piano (1993), There Will Be Blood (2007), and The Shape of Water (2017) featured hearing actors portraying Deaf or non-speaking characters. While some of these performances were critically acclaimed, they raised important questions about authenticity and opportunity.

The difference becomes apparent when comparing these portrayals to those by Deaf actors. When Troy Kotsur plays Frank Rossi in CODA, he brings not just acting talent but a lifetime of lived experience as a Deaf person. His natural use of American Sign Language, his expressions, and his understanding of Deaf cultural nuances create a portrayal that rings true in ways that even the most well-researched performance by a hearing actor cannot match.

James Rivera, who has been organizing the Deaf Film Festival for over a decade, shares: "When I watch a hearing actor play Deaf, I can almost always tell within seconds. It's not just about signing correctly—it's about embodying the whole experience. The way a Deaf person uses space, how they naturally position themselves for visual access in a room, their reaction to environmental cues—these aren't things you can learn in a few months of ASL classes."

This isn't to say that hearing actors can never portray Deaf characters effectively. However, authentic casting offers both greater accuracy and vital professional opportunities for Deaf performers who already face significant barriers in the industry.

Breaking New Ground: Films That Changed the Landscape

Recent years have seen remarkable progress in how films portray Deaf characters and incorporate Deaf talent. A Quiet Place (2018) and its sequel feature Millicent Simmonds, a Deaf actress, as Regan Abbott. The films' premise—a world where making sound is deadly—naturally centers the experience and advantages of Deaf characters. Director John Krasinski has spoken about how Simmonds' input shaped the film, including suggesting a pivotal scene that became central to the plot.

Sound of Metal (2019) tells the story of a heavy metal drummer losing his hearing. While the lead character is played by hearing actor Riz Ahmed, the film features several Deaf actors in supporting roles and explores tensions between medical interventions and Deaf cultural identity. The film's innovative sound design helps hearing viewers experience the protagonist's journey into Deafness, creating powerful empathy without resorting to pity.

And then there's CODA (2021), a watershed moment for Deaf representation in film. With three Deaf actors in principal roles, the film centers on a hearing child of Deaf adults (a CODA) but gives equal weight and complexity to the Deaf family members. Troy Kotsur's Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor marked only the second time a Deaf performer had received an Academy Award, 35 years after Matlin's groundbreaking achievement.

"What makes CODA so significant isn't just the awards," notes Deaf film critic Rebecca Chen. "It's that the Deaf characters are fully realized people with ambitions, flaws, humor, and sexuality. They're not defined by what they can't do but by who they are—fishermen, parents, community members. And crucially, they're portrayed by Deaf actors who bring that lived experience to the screen."

Beyond Representation: The Real-World Impact

The effects of authentic Deaf representation in film extend far beyond entertainment. When movies portray Deaf individuals as complex, capable, and fully human, they challenge stereotypes and shape public perceptions.

For Deaf audiences, especially young people, seeing themselves authentically represented creates powerful moments of recognition and possibility. Sixteen-year-old Sophia Martinez, who attended a special screening of CODA with her Deaf parents, shared: "Watching Troy and Marlee on screen was like seeing my family's life in some ways. Not the fishing part—we live in the city! But the way they signed, joked around, and navigated the world. It made me proud of our culture and language in a way I hadn't felt before."

For hearing audiences, these films provide a window into Deaf experiences and culture that many might otherwise never encounter. They can dispel misconceptions, foster empathy, and highlight the richness of Deaf communication and community.

The impact reaches the industry as well. The success of films like CODA and A Quiet Place demonstrates that authentic Deaf representation isn't just the right thing to do—it can be commercially successful and critically acclaimed. This creates a virtuous cycle, encouraging more opportunities for Deaf talent both in front of and behind the camera.

Looking Forward: What Comes Next?

While recent progress is encouraging, challenges remain. Deaf actors still face limited opportunities and typecasting. Authentic representation remains the exception rather than the rule. And many Deaf stories are still filtered through hearing perspectives, focusing on the intersection between Deaf and hearing worlds rather than centering Deaf experiences fully.

The next frontier may be increasing the presence of Deaf creators—directors, screenwriters, producers—who can shape how Deaf stories are told from the ground up. Films written and directed by Deaf filmmakers remain rare in mainstream cinema, though short films and independent productions from Deaf creators have long been vibrant parts of Deaf culture.

"What I'm waiting for is a major studio film directed by a Deaf filmmaker, with a predominantly Deaf cast, that isn't primarily about being Deaf," says Rivera. "A thriller, a rom-com, a sci-fi epic where the characters happen to be Deaf but the story is about saving the world or falling in love or solving the mystery. That's when we'll know we've truly arrived."

The Power of Authentic Storytelling

As we look at the landscape of Deaf characters in film, one thing becomes abundantly clear: authentic representation matters. When Deaf characters are portrayed with depth and nuance by Deaf performers, everyone benefits. The stories become richer, the performances more genuine, and the impact more meaningful.

Films like CODA, Sound of Metal, and A Quiet Place demonstrate that audiences are ready for authentic Deaf stories. They show that Deaf talent deserves—and can brilliantly deliver on—opportunities to shape how Deaf experiences are portrayed on screen.

In our next installment, we'll focus on the pioneering Deaf actors who have changed Hollywood, exploring their journeys, challenges, and lasting impacts on the entertainment industry. Until then, we encourage you to seek out and support films featuring authentic Deaf representation—your viewership sends a powerful message about the stories that matter.

This post is part of our ongoing series "Deaf Representation in Film & TV: Characters, Actors & Impact." Join us next week as we highlight Breaking Barriers: Reality TV Stars Who Are Deaf.