Troy Kotsur made you laugh and cry in ‘CODA.’ But in ‘Black Rabbit,’ he wants to scare you

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The 2022 Academy Awards saw a big win for “CODA,” a touching film about a child raised by Deaf parents. The movie not only took home the award for Best Picture, but also made history with Troy Kotsur, who became the first Deaf actor to win an Oscar.

Troy Kotsur’s portrayal of a father facing hardship with his fishing business, and supporting his gifted, hearing daughter in a deaf family, was both funny and deeply moving. Many viewers found themselves reaching for tissues by the end of the film.

Viewers who enjoyed Troy Kotsur in the Apple TV+ movie might be surprised to see him in Netflix’s new thriller, “Black Rabbit.” He’s traded in his role as a caring father for a much darker character.

In the new series, Troy Kotsur plays Joe Mancuso, a dangerous criminal with a history connected to the show’s main characters, Jake and Vince Friedkin (played by Jude Law and Jason Bateman). Looking much different from his role as Frank Rossi in “CODA,” he sports a thick beard and an intimidating gaze.

That’s precisely the effect Kotsur was aiming for. Playing a villain is a long-held dream for him. He understands audiences might be surprised at first, but he hopes they’ll accept his shift from heartwarming roles to something more frightening.

Troy Kotsur explained in a video interview from his home in Mesa, Arizona, that he aimed to surprise viewers by performing a piece drastically different from Frank Rossi. Justin Maurer, who interprets for Kotsur, joined the conversation remotely from Los Angeles.

He explained that he wants viewers to recognize his ability to play a darker, more intimidating character.

Kotsur is optimistic that his role in “Black Rabbit” will build on the progress made for Deaf artists thanks to the popularity of “CODA.”

I was really struck by something Troy Kotsur said recently. He pointed out how often we see gangsters of all different backgrounds in movies, all speaking the same language, yet we *never* see a villain who communicates using sign language. It’s a surprisingly glaring omission, especially when you consider that Deaf people, like anyone else, have historically been involved in crime – it’s just that their stories, and their representation, have been consistently overlooked and pushed to the side.

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In ‘Black Rabbit,’ Jason Bateman and Jude Law are brothers on the brink of disaster

Jude Law and Jason Bateman star in a new crime thriller on Netflix, set in New York City. Law plays the owner of a popular restaurant, while Bateman portrays his troubled brother.

Signing the contract for “Black Rabbit” clearly thrilled Kotsur. He reflected on how much his life had changed since winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, recalling when he used to drive by the Warner Bros. and Paramount Studios, hoping for a break.

He admitted to facing significant financial hardship, saying he heavily depended on his wife, Deanne Bray, to get through those difficult times. He explained that winning an Oscar brought a new level of credibility, opening up opportunities and earning him the trust and respect of others in the industry.

He indicated a painting hanging behind him, a depiction of a special moment from his Oscar night. “As they read my name, I stood up, looked at my wife, thanked her, and kissed her,” Kotsur explained. “Someone captured that moment in a photo, and this painting, called ‘The Embrace,’ is based on it.”

He’s very encouraged by the positive changes “CODA” is bringing to Hollywood. He’s noticed a gradual shift, saying it’s wonderful to see increased attention to cultural sensitivity regarding Deaf culture and sign language even before filming begins. He’s especially happy to witness these changes in his lifetime.

His bad-guy hunger was fueled by a memorable pre-”CODA” incident.

Kotsur remembered having a beard and long hair back then. He was in an elevator, feeling tired, and when he pressed a button, it didn’t seem to work. The doors eventually opened to reveal two women who were so shocked by his appearance that they screamed and refused to enter the elevator.

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The acclaimed film “CODA” was a turning point, not only featuring Deaf actors but also ensuring a fully inclusive and accessible set for everyone involved.

I was really hurt by the way some women reacted to me – it felt like they were afraid. Looking back, I understand I probably came across differently then. I filed that experience away, hoping I’d eventually get a role where I could convincingly play a frightening character. ‘Black Rabbit’ felt like the perfect chance to do just that.

Mancuso is one of several mysterious characters in the new series produced by Riff Raff Entertainment, led by Law and Ben Jackson.

I just saw “Black Rabbit,” and it’s a really intense ride. It centers around Jake Friedkin, who’s co-owning this incredibly popular new restaurant and lounge in New York. But things take a dark turn when his brother, Vince, shows up – he’s got a serious history with addiction and trouble, and his arrival throws everything into chaos, quickly escalating into a lot of violence and mayhem. It’s definitely a gripping story!

We first see Mancuso in the second episode, hidden away in the basement of a Russian bath house. He’s signing something with one hand while glaring at his bookies, Junior and Babbitt, making it clear he’s frustrated they haven’t collected the large amount of money Vince owes him.

Later in the episode, a comfortable rapport develops between the two as they discuss a way for Jake to pay off his debt. However, the situation quickly escalates, and Mancuso reveals a dangerous side, his friendly expression turning cold before he deliberately spills hot coffee on Jake.

He described his role as having a fun transformation, going from a nice character to a villain. He also excitedly shared that he got to playfully mess up an A-list actor by spilling coffee on them – he said it was a really cool experience.

Bateman, who directed the first two episodes and also served as an executive producer, helped Kotsur understand how to perform the scene.

Kotsur recalled Jason telling him to keep a scene simple. Jason instructed him to deliver the line, “How much money?” with just a small smile, then return to counting money and working. Kotsur realized this meant subtlety was key – a principle he already embraced as an actor, believing less is often more.

He explained that allowing villains to both speak and gesture feels natural, but a deaf villain would need to find a different way to express themselves. He hopes viewers will notice these nuances, as he intentionally portrayed Mancuso as someone who hides his anger and power beneath a calm exterior.

While Rossi signs with a lot of energy, Mancuso is deliberately more restrained. The actor noted that Mancuso only uses one hand when signing, leading to speculation about whether he’s concealing a weapon. This controlled demeanor was key to the portrayal. Unlike characters who might be impulsive, Mancuso is calm and confident, always aware of his power and ultimate control of any situation.

Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, the creators of the project, wrote the role with Troy Kotsur in mind. They first met him during the 2022 awards season, when their film, “CODA,” was receiving a lot of attention.

Baylin, nominated for an Oscar for his work on the film “King Richard,” described Troy as a remarkably charismatic and engaging person. He added that they enjoyed spending time with Troy socially and felt he was a versatile actor capable of taking on any role.

After Baylin and Susman inquired about Kotsur’s future plans, he expressed a strong desire to portray a villain in his next role.

Baylin said the idea stayed with him and Kate for several years. They secretly wrote a role specifically for the actor, impressed by his commanding presence and ability to portray both menace and vulnerability, as he’d shown in ‘CODA.’ He brought a quiet strength to the part that went beyond what was written in the script.

Susman noted that Kotsur is a very nuanced actor, hinting at hidden emotions – ‘like a storm brewing behind his eyes.’ They were thrilled and greatly relieved when he agreed to join the production.

Weber, who acts alongside Kotsur in scenes featuring sign language conversations, was deeply impressed when he first met the Oscar-winning actor at the beginning of rehearsals.

Weber felt incredibly lucky to get the part, comparing it to winning the lottery twice. He shared that he started learning sign language as a young child, even before he could speak, because his older sister is Deaf.

He explained that Troy had a really intense presence. When the cameras weren’t rolling, he was a fun and lively person to be around, but as soon as he got into character, he became incredibly intimidating.

Kotsur created a detailed history for his character, which not only enhanced his scenes with Law and Bateman, but also informed his portrayal of a younger Mancuso in a later episode.

As an actor, I always start by understanding a character’s history and how they became who they are. I kept asking myself, ‘What would lead Mancuso to be working in a bathhouse basement?’ I imagined he started as a janitor, and someone recognized his potential and taught him the ropes. The mobsters felt secure around him because he’s deaf and couldn’t overhear their plans. This built trust, and he gradually took on more and more responsibility until he eventually ended up in charge of the operation.

I’m such a fan of Troy Kotsur! He’s incredible in the latest season of “Foundation” and I’m really excited to see him in “Primate.” It’s awesome that he’s finally getting to play a villain, but honestly, I’d love to see him tackle a Western or a comedy next. He’s so versatile, I know he’d be amazing in either!

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2025-09-18 13:40