Paul Raci

Paul Raci (born April 7, 1948) is an American character actor known for his work in stage, film, and television. He has appeared in various projects, including small roles in popular shows like Baskets and Parks and Recreation. In 2021, Raci received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Sound of Metal (2019). Born in Chicago, Illinois, Raci comes from a Polish descent and was raised as the hearing son of deaf parents, which made him fluent in American Sign Language. Prior to his acting career, Raci served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He received critical acclaim for his role as Joe, a deaf mentor, in Sound of Metal.