Deaf Oscar nominated actor Troy Kotsur in drunken mid-air row after drinking 10 vodkas
DEAF movie star Troy Kotsur was embroiled in a drunken mid-air altercation — after he was forced to fly without his sign language translator.
tipped for an Oscar this weekend, accidentally knocked a fork while gesticulating which struck another passenger.
Cabin crew, unable to use sign language, eventually had to write him a note telling him police would escort him off the London to LA flight on landing.
But a source close to Troy insisted last night he was “stressed” after missing an earlier plane his sign translator was on and it was all just a “misunderstanding”.
A passenger sitting near Troy and deaf actress wife Deanne Bray said: “He had sunk about ten small bottles of vodka and appeared to have an increasingly heated discussion in sign language with his wife.
“Suddenly it all kicked off, and he was gesticulating wildly as bits of food and cutlery were flying around.
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“One lady got hit and burst into tears. Cabin crew refused to serve Troy more alcohol, but also were struggling to communicate with him.”
They went on: “Troy was told in writing on approach that police would be meeting the aircraft.”
The incident took place on an American Airlines flight last month.
Last night a friend insisted: “Troy is a nervous flier anyway, and was stressed because he didn’t have his translator with him.
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“He was signing expansively which can be uncomfortable for hearing people.
“Obviously it was a complete accident anyone got hit — his elbow knocked something off his tray.”
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Bafta-winner Troy is tipped for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in CODA.
Last night a spokeswoman for Troy said: “It was a major misunderstanding. Once there was someone able to interpret over FaceTime, everyone shook hands and walked away.”