Deanne Bray (born May 14, 1971) 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 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.
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. She received a master's degree in sign language education in 2013.
Career 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.
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).
Bray taught American Sign Language (ASL) at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, California, from 2013 to 2021.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1996What Do Women WantSharon2005Last MountainBlonde Annie2007I See the Crowd Roar: The Story of William Dummy HoyAnnaDocumentary short2008Universal SignsNatalie2013No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy MovieASL Advocate2016 Wild Prairie RoseCafeteria Worker
Theatre YearTitleRole Notes2018Arrival and DepartureEmilyTheater
Television Year Title Role Notes1995Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: LightningTeddy FranklinTV film1996Deaf WomanEpisode: "Flyer"1997EllenJulietEpisode: "Ellen's Deaf Comedy Jam"1997Diagnosis: MurderJan CurranEpisode: "Murder, Country Style"2001Strong MedicineSonnyEpisode: "Fix"2001CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationDr. GilbertEpisode: "Sounds of Silence"2002–2005Sue Thomas: F.B.EyeSue ThomasLead role (56 episodes)2003L.A. Sheriff's HomicideTechnicianTV film2006Rescue MeRoseMaryEpisode: "Hell"2007Law & Order: Criminal IntentDean PriceEpisode: "Silencer"2007Curb Your EnthusiasmJeanEpisode: "The Rat Dog"2007Amy ReedEpisodes: "Lacy Lilting Lyrics", "Little Boy Blue"2008Amy ReedEpisodes: "Lesbians Gone Wild", "Lay Down the Law"2008Sweet Nothing in My EarDr. WaltersTV film2009–2010HeroesEmma CoolidgeRecurring role (9 episodes)20132 Broke GirlsJoanneEpisode: "And Not-So-Sweet Charity"2014Grey's AnatomyNicoleEpisode: "Go It Alone"2014Switched at BirthDean of GallaudetEpisode: "It Isn't What You Think"2017VeepJulieEpisode: "Qatar"2022Santa BootcampOliveTV film2025 Will Trent Ruth GalarzaEpisode: “Best of Your Recollection”2026Walt Disney Animation Studios Songs in Sign LanguageASL Reference and Choreographer: AnnaEpisode: "The Next Right Thing"
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