Deanne Bray
Deanne Bray | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1971 |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Deanne Bray (born May 14, 1971)[1] is an American actress. Bray was born deaf and is bilingual in American Sign Language and British Sign Language. She is also known as Deanne Bray-Kotsur.
Early life and education
[edit]Bray was born in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California and has spent most of her life in southern California being raised by her father, though she lived in Seattle for a few years with her mother and attended Washington State School for the Deaf for grade 8. Bray's father knew some basic ASL, but her mother chose not to learn to sign at all.
Bray's parents made certain their daughter was instructed from an early age to speak and write English and learn American Sign Language as well, sending her through a variety of learning programs and centers to strengthen her language skills.[2]
A California native, Bray broke into the entertainment industry after she was discovered performing with a deaf dancing group called "Prism West" at a Deaf festival at California State University, Northridge, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biology.[3] She received a master's degree in sign language education in 2013.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Bray is best known for her role as Sue Thomas in the show Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and has also had a recurring role as Emma Coolidge on Heroes, besides being a co-host with Missy Keast on the DVD Your Pregnancy: What To Expect, a comprehensive resource for pregnant deaf and hard of hearing women.[6][7]
Bray is also an advocate for improving early childhood education for deaf children and is a spokesperson for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K).[8]
Bray taught American Sign Language (ASL) at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, California, from 2013[9] to 2021.[10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Bray is married to Troy Kotsur, the first deaf male actor to win an Academy Award. On September 8, 2005, they had a daughter, Kyra Monique Kotsur.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | What Do Women Want | Sharon | |
| 2005 | Last Mountain | Blonde Annie | |
| 2007 | I See the Crowd Roar: The Story of William Dummy Hoy | Anna | Documentary short |
| 2008 | Universal Signs | Natalie | |
| 2013 | No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie | ASL Advocate |
2016 Wild Prairie Rose.
Theatre
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Arrival and Departure | Emily | Theater |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning | Teddy Franklin | TV film |
| 1996 | The Pretender | Deaf Woman | Episode: "Flyer" |
| 1997 | Ellen | Juliet | Episode: "Ellen's Deaf Comedy Jam" |
| 1997 | Diagnosis: Murder | Jan Curran | Episode: "Murder, Country Style" |
| 2001 | Strong Medicine | Sonny | Episode: "Fix" |
| 2001 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Dr. Gilbert | Episode: "Sounds of Silence" |
| 2002–2005 | Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye | Sue Thomas | Lead role (56 episodes) |
| 2003 | L.A. Sheriff's Homicide | Technician | TV film |
| 2006 | Rescue Me | RoseMary | Episode: "Hell" |
| 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Dean Price | Episode: "Silencer" |
| 2007 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Jean | Episode: "The Rat Dog" |
| 2007 | The L Word | Amy Reed | Episodes: "Lacy Lilting Lyrics", "Little Boy Blue" |
| 2008 | The L Word | Amy Reed | Episodes: "Lesbians Gone Wild", "Lay Down the Law" |
| 2008 | Sweet Nothing in My Ear | Dr. Walters | TV film |
| 2009–2010 | Heroes | Emma Coolidge | Recurring role (9 episodes) |
| 2013 | 2 Broke Girls | Joanne | Episode: "And Not-So-Sweet Charity" |
| 2014 | Grey's Anatomy | Nicole | Episode: "Go It Alone" |
| 2014 | Switched at Birth | Dean of Gallaudet | Episode: "It Isn't What You Think" |
| 2017 | Veep | Julie | Episode: "Qatar" |
References
[edit]- ^ Bob Ayers (December 2004). Deaf Diaspora, The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry. Lincoln, NE, USA. p. 57. ISBN 0-595-33541-1.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Deaf actors from Oak Park star in play premiering in Hollywood". Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "A Hearing Loss Hero" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "Oak Park High School Staff Pages: Deanne Bray Welcome". Oak Park High School. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "American Sign Language Honor Society". Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ Your Pregnancy What to Expect. ISBN 0977097455.
- ^ "Your Pregnancy What to Expect". Archived from the original on September 28, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "Seeking sign language support - Deaf actress advocates for early ASL development". 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- ^ "Oak Park High School Staff Pages: Deanne Bray UC Approved ASL Classes". Oak Park High School. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "2012–2022 salaries for Oak Park Unified". Transparent California (public pay and pension database). Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Mrs. Bray's husband makes history at the Academy Awards". Oak Park High School Talon. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
External links
[edit]- Deanne Bray at IMDb
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