International Sign Language Day 2026 is observed on September 23 every year. The day marks the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951. Over the years, cinema has moved away from portraying deaf characters primarily as comic figures, with several deaf actors helping bring greater authenticity and representation to the screen.
From historic Oscar wins to major superhero franchises and popular television shows, these performers have played an important role in changing how deafness and hearing impairment are represented in entertainment.
1. Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin made Oscar history in 1987 when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Children of a Lesser God. At just 21 years old, she became the first deaf actress to receive the prestigious award and remains the only deaf actress to have won in the category.
2. Troy Kotsur
Troy Kotsur became the first deaf male actor to win an Oscar when he received the Best Supporting Actor award for CODA in 2022. His achievements also extended to the Star Wars universe, where he became the first deaf actor to appear in the franchise and helped create Tusken Sign Language for The Mandalorian.
3. Daniel Durant
Daniel Durant gained wider recognition through CODA, where he was part of the acclaimed cast. His major breakthrough came earlier with his starring performance as Moritz Stiefel in the 2015 Broadway revival of Spring Awakening.
4. Lauren Ridloff
Lauren Ridloff made history in the Marvel Cinematic Universe by playing Makkari in Eternals (2021), becoming the first deaf superhero in the MCU. She also portrayed Connie in The Walking Dead. Her performance in Eternals received considerable praise and became one of the notable aspects of the film.
5. Rose Ayling-Ellis
Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant and winner of Strictly Come Dancing UK in 2021. She later played Frankie in EastEnders, helping bring sign language to primetime television. She also won a BAFTA for her work.
6. Millicent Simmonds
Millicent Simmonds rose to prominence through the A Quiet Place franchise and its sequel. Her casting brought an authentic Deaf perspective to a major mainstream horror series, while her performances received widespread praise for their intensity.
7. Shoshannah Stern
Shoshannah Stern became the first deaf actor to lead a primetime series. She played Dr. Lauren Riley in the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off and also appeared as Bonnie in Jericho. Stern was also a writer and creator of This Close, which became the first show created by Deaf creators.
Changing Representation on Screen
The work of these actors has helped expand the representation of deaf people across film and television. Their performances have appeared in major productions ranging from Oscar-winning dramas and Broadway adaptations to superhero films and primetime television, contributing to a broader presence of Deaf talent in mainstream entertainment.