Deanne Bray is the wife of Troy Kotsur, an award-winning American actor. The couple, who are both deaf, got married in 2001 and have been together for 23 years. They share a daughter named Kyra Monique Kotsur.
Like him, Troy Kotsur’s wife is also an actress. She was born on 14th May 1971 and is 52 years old in 2024.
Summary of Deanne Bray’s Bio
- Full name: Deanne Bray
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 14th May 1971
- Deanne Bray’s Age: 52 years old
- Ethnicity: White
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Deanne Bray’s Husband: Troy Kotsur
- Deanne Bray’s Children: A daughter, Kyra Monique Kotsur
- Deanne Bray’s Height in Inches: 5 feet, 7 inches
- Deanne Bray’s Height in Centimetres: 170 cm
- Deanne Bray’s Weight: 58 kg
- Body Measurements in inches: 36-25-32 inches
- Deanne Bray’s Net worth: $1.5 million
- Famous for: Being an actress, Troy Kotsur’s wife
- Deanne Bray’s Instagram: @deannebraykotsur
Deanne Bray is a 52-Year-Old California Native
Troy Kotsur’s wife was born Deanne Bray on the 14th of May 1971 in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA. She holds American nationality and is of a white ethnic background. While growing up, Deanne lived for a few years with her mother in Seattle but was raised mostly by her father in Southern California and that was where she spent the greater part of her life.
She was Born Deaf Just Like her Husband
Just like her husband, Deanne Bray was born deaf from an unknown cause. She is completely deaf in her right ear and has some residual hearing in her left ear for which she uses a hearing aid. Deanne’s father could do some ASL (American Sign Language) but her mother decided not to learn any of the sign language at all.
Regardless, both parents ensured that their daughter started an early education that helped her in speaking and writing English as well as American Sign Language. Thus, they sent her through a variety of learning programs and classes where her language skills were strengthened.
Bray attended Washington State School for the Deaf after which she moved to California State University at Northridge. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. She is reportedly pursuing a Master’s degree in Sign Language Education (Linguistics) at Gallaudet University.
Furthermore, Bray has a California Teaching Credential (C.T.C) which made her qualified to teach 9-12th grade students. Bray is in fact a well-educated woman and her educational background and qualifications have placed her above many of her equals and established her in several career endeavors, regardless of her hearing deficiency.
Deanne Bray Has Been Acting Since 1996
While growing up, Bray had a love for actors although she at that time never knew she would someday become an actress. Her role models in the industry include Phyllis Frelich, Freda Norman, Linda Bove, and Sue Thomas, among others. Deanne Bray broke into the American entertainment industry in 1996 after she was discovered performing at a Deaf festival at California State University with a deaf dancing troupe, Prism West.
She got her first major acting role in the same year in the movie What Do Women Want. Today, she has starred in several TV shows and films and is well-recognized for her recurring role on Heroes where she played Emma Coolidge. Bray is also popular for playing the title role in Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, a Canadian/American TV series that premiered on PAX Network from 2002 to 2005.
Deanne Bray bestrides both the deaf and hearing worlds, easily communicating through both ASL and English. Alongside Missy Keast, she is currently a host on Your Pregnancy: What To Expect, a comprehensive resource for pregnant deaf and hard-of-hearing women.
List of Deanne Bray’s Movies and TV Shows
Below are some of the notable movies and TV series Deanne Bray has appeared in.
- Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye
- What Do Women Want
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- Universal Signs
- Arrival and Departure
- 2 Broke Girls
- Heroes
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Strong Medicine
- Switched at Birth
- Rescue Me
- The L Word
- Sweet Nothing in My Ear
- Last Mountain
Deanne Bray is Also a Teacher, Author, and Advocate
In addition to acting, Troy’s wife teaches American Sign Language. She was a maths and science teacher at an East Los Angeles high school, and also teaches at the university level. In her spare time, Deanne enjoys reading especially with deaf children, and also enjoys attending deaf community events.
Deanne Bray has contributed largely towards preserving and celebrating ASL. She is a spokesperson for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K), and an advocate for improving early childhood education for deaf children.
She personally founded and funded a reading club, “Little Bookworm Club” which is solely for the benefit of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The success of the reading club earned her a grant from the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program.
Bray and some of her colleagues wrote a book Grow with Your Child which is meant for hearing parents with deaf children. The book is filled with activities and games to learn sign language with specific grammatical features.
Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur have been Married for 23 Years Now
Deanne Bray and Troy Kotsur are still married to each other and have been together for over two decades. It is not public knowledge when and how the couple met but records have it that they tied the knot in 2001, making it their 23 years of marriage now. Both of them support each other in their individual career endeavors.
Talking about the secret of their long-lasting marriage, the couple has not quite made any revelation in that regard. However, from indication, their marriage has been a peaceful and successful one and there has not been any record of scandal. In 2021, Troy Kotsur became the first deaf actor to win a solo Screen Actors Guild award.
In the acceptance speech for his historic win, the CODA star showered appreciation on his wife Deanne for having always been there for him. “Thank you so much for being my backbone and thank you for supporting me, I love you”, Troy signed in ASL.
They Have One Child – a Daughter Named Kyra
Deanne and her husband are parents to one child; a daughter named Kyra Monique Kotsur. Kyra was born on 6th September 2005 and is now 18 years old. Though still a student, it seems Kyra would definitely follow in her parent’s footsteps. Troy once said that during her early school days, Kyra used to sing for her class performances.
Kyra Kotsur keeps a low profile so it is hard to find out exactly what she is currently up to and if she has since continued in the entertainment path.
FAQs
Who is Troy Kotsur’s Wife?
Troy Kotsur’s wife is Deanne Bray, a 52 year-old American actress best known for her role in the TV series Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (2002-2005).
Is Deanne Bray Deaf?
Deanne Bray is deaf. The actress was born deaf, but that has not limited her in life.
Who is Deanne Bray’s Husband?
Deanne Bray’s husband is Troy Kotsur, an American actor best known for his award-winning role in the comedy-drama film CODA (2021)
What is Deanne Bray’s Net Worth?
Deanne Bray’s net worth in 2024 is estimated at around $1.5 million.
Where is Deanne Bray Today?
Deanne Bray is believed to reside in California, USA, where she lives with her husband and kid.