Deanne Bray
Deanne Bray | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1971 |
| Years active | 1995–present |
Deanne Bray (born May 14, 1971)[1] is an American actress. Bray was born deaf and is multilingual in American Sign Language, British Sign Language, and English. She is also known as Deanne Bray-Kotsur.
Early life and education
[edit]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, as well as 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]
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 | Cafeteria Worker |
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" |
| 2022 | Santa Bootcamp | Olive | TV film |
| 2025 | Will Trent | Ruth Galarza | Episode: “Best of Your Recollection” |
| 2026 | Walt Disney Animation Studios Songs in Sign Language | ASL Reference and Choreographer: Anna | Episode: "The Next Right Thing" |
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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