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Alaqua Cox

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Alaqua Cox
Born (1997-02-13) February 13, 1997 (age 27)
Menominee Indian Reservation, Wisconsin, U.S.[1]
NationalityMenominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, American
EducationWisconsin School for the Deaf
OccupationActress
Years active2021–present
Children1

Alaqua Cox (born February 13, 1997) is a Native American (Menominee) actress. She landed her breakthrough role – her first ever acting experience – as Maya Lopez / Echo within the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Disney+ series Hawkeye (2021), continuing as the protagonist in the spin-off series Echo (2024).[2][3]

Early life

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Cox was born Deaf.[4] She was born and raised in the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin, and is of the Menominee and Mohican nation.[1] She attended the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, where she played on the girls' basketball team from 2014 to 2015 and on the volleyball team.[5][6]

Part of Cox's right leg is amputated.[7] She uses a prosthesis.[8]

Career

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On December 2, 2020, in her acting debut, she was cast in Hawkeye as Echo.[9] The news drew applause from Deaf activist Nyle DiMarco.[10] In June 2021, Echo co-creator David W. Mack reacted to the news of the Echo television series by expressing gratitude to Cox for being a representative for Deaf and Indigenous youth: "I taught at the School for the Deaf in Africa, Asia, [and] Europe, in my work for the U.S. State Department, [and] the students love Echo [and] will be happy about this."[11]

At Marvel's Hawkeye premiere, Cox told a reporter from Variety. "I don't know why they're giving me this opportunity, but I'm just grateful. I'm excited for the support and being able to advocate for the Deaf community. We want to have that equality and get more people involved. I'm just so grateful for all of the opportunities I've been given."[12] Cox told Disney's D23 magazine that Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld both worked to learn some American Sign Language so that they could communicate more easily with her. "I thought it was sweet of them putting in efforts to learn basic ASL to communicate with me. It means a lot to me as a Deaf person."[4]

Personal life

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Cox's father died in November 2021.[13]

Her maternal cousin, Darnell Besaw, played the child version of Cox's character in both Hawkeye (2021) and Echo (2024).[14]

On Mother's Day 2023, Cox announced that she was expecting a baby boy named Mukwa with her fiancé.[15] Her son was born that October.[16]

In November 2024, Cox announced that she was expecting a second baby boy.[17]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2021 Hawkeye Maya Lopez / Echo Supporting role
2022–2024 Marvel Studios: Assembled Herself 2 episodes
2024 Echo Maya Lopez / Echo Main role

References

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  1. ^ a b Méndez, Chris Malone (December 22, 2021). "She's Menominee and Mohican Native American". PopSugar. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Otterson, Joe (December 3, 2020). "'Hawkeye' Series at Disney Plus Adds Six to Cast, Including Vera Farmiga and Tony Dalton (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  3. ^ Moreau, Jordan (March 22, 2021). "'Hawkeye' Spinoff Series About Echo in Early Development for Disney Plus (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Milheim, Russ (December 2, 2021). "Hawkeye: How Hailee Steinfeld Helped Deaf Marvel Co-Star Feel Comfortable on Set". The Direct. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  5. ^ "Alaqua Cox". NDIAA. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "Meet Marvel's New Star, Alaqua Cox: All Set To Play In Hawkeye". CelebSuburb. December 17, 2020. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "Alaqua Cox Was Bullied for Being Deaf and an Amputee, Now the Marvel Star Is 'Proud' to Prove She 'Can Do Anything' (Exclusive)". People. January 10, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Deaf amputee and Marvel star, Alaqua Cox, is a modern hero on and offscreen". Leap in!. May 21, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "Mavrick Fisher retrial decision; Deaf actress Alaqua Cox to get role in Disney Plus". The Daily Moth. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  10. ^ Schilling, Vincent (December 4, 2020). "Native actress cast as Echo in Disney+ series". Indian Country Today. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  11. ^ Mack, David W. [@davidmackkabuki] (June 6, 2021). "Looks like a character i created at #MARVEL is getting her own tv show. #ECHO, who is deaf & indigenous is being played by an actor who is deaf & indigenous. I taught at the School for the Deaf in Africa, Asia, & Europe, in my work for the US State Dept, & the students love Echo & will be happy about this. .... also gives hope for the KABUKI tv series..." Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021 – via Instagram.
  12. ^ "Hawkeye and Echo Star Alaqua Cox Speaks Out on Getting Her Own Show on Disney+". ComicBook.com. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Cox, Alaqua [@alaquacox] (November 30, 2021). "A huge piece of my heart is gone today. I am going to miss you so much, dad.💔👼🏾". Retrieved April 5, 2024 – via Instagram.
  14. ^ Vaisvilas, Frank (December 20, 2021). "Menominee actresses Alaqua Cox and Darnell Besaw star in the new Marvel 'Hawkeye' series on Disney+". Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved April 4, 2024. The studio also was looking for an actor to play the child version of Cox's character... asked if she had any child relatives that looked like her.
  15. ^ "Marvel's Echo Star Alaqua Cox Surprises Fans With Pregnancy Reveal". ComicBook.com. May 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  16. ^ "Alaqua Cox Announces Birth Of Baby With A Promo On Instagram". Glamour Buff. October 30, 2023. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  17. ^ @alaquacox (November 8, 2024). "Surprise! Baby boy #2 coming in May 2025💙 We can't wait for another little one to love on and to watch Mukwa become the best big brother🍼🥰" – via Instagram.
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