Bragg will bequeath a portion of his estate, upon his demise, to the Department of Deaf Studies in CSUN's Michael D. Eisner College of Education for the creation of the Bernard Bragg Deaf Theatre, Signed Arts and Deaf Cinema Endowment. The gift, currently valued at about $200,000, will provide opportunities for faculty and students to study, participate in and contribute to the success of deaf theatre, signed arts and deaf cinema in the United States and internationally.

"The essence of Bernard Bragg's bequest to the deaf studies department is to ensure that deaf theatre, signed arts and deaf cinema will never be forgotten. He simply wants to see that there will be more and more opportunities for such activities," said department chair Lawrence Fleischer. "Bernard's endowment makes it possible for deaf community members on national and international levels to get together and enjoy deaf arts-related projects."

Bragg, a longtime instructor at CSUN, has taught American Sign Language/deaf theatre courses and has directed plays at the university, including "To Whom It May Concern," "Laugh Properly, Please," and "Truly Deaf."

He said he decided to make the bequest to the university because "I wish to see deaf people in theatre and film around the world continue to upgrade the quality of their works.

"By exposing their work to others as well as being exposed to others' work, theatre people and filmmakers of the deaf world are thus able to see where they stand and how they can improve their theatres and films," he said. "That is not to say that the deaf theatres and films in these countries aim to bring about social change. Presenting deaf theatre and film as an art form is their primary intent, although it may secondarily play a critical part in helping enhance the image of deaf people. Through their dedication, deaf theatre and film groups around the world have made significant and impressive contributions not only to their own deaf communities but also to the general cultural life of the societies in which they live."

Bragg, 77, is internationally recognized as a leader in the deaf entertainment community. He studied with internationally recognized mime Marcel Marceau in Paris in 1956. Upon returning to the United States, he performed traditional mime in San Francisco's nightclubs and other clubs across the nation. In 1958, Life magazine commended Bragg as one of the best small nightclub performers in America.

Bragg acted in "The Quiet Man" television series as well as in CBS' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" and the television movie "And Your Name is Jonah." In 1979, he wrote and directed "That Makes Two of Us," a romantic comedy, and co-authored "Takes from a Clubroom." In 1989, his book, "Lessons in Laughter: The Autobiography of a Deaf Actor," was published.

NTD and its subsidiary, the Little Theater of the Deaf, are based in Connecticut. They take their productions, staffed with professionally trained actors, both hearing and deaf, to theaters across the country.

In 1973, Bragg served as artist-in-residence with the Russian Theater of Mimicry and Gesture as part of a groundbreaking cultural exchange. Soviet Life noted at that time that Bragg was the first American to perform with Russians in over 100 years, the last being African-American actor Ira Frederick Aldridge.

Four years later, Bragg was invited to serve on the U.S. Information Agency's Overseas Speakers Program, which was sponsored jointly by the U.S. Department of State, Ford Foundation, International Theatre Institute and National Association of the Deaf. In 1978, as part of the program, Bragg toured 38 cities in 25 countries with the purpose of encouraging the development of creative arts and enhancing worldwide recognition of sign-mime as a powerful medium for cross-cultural communication.

Bragg has been awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Gallaudet University in recognition of his extraordinary service to deaf people of the world in theater, education and communication. The World Federation of the Deaf has honored him with a special lifetime achievement award in recognition of his pioneering efforts and notable accomplishments in theater, culture and signed arts, noting his "artistry and eloquence on the stage and leadership behind the scenes has shown the world the magnificence of drama, storytelling and poetry reading through the beauty of American Sign Language and has inspired multitudes of people."

"CSUN's deaf studies is deeply honored to serve a legendary figure in the deaf world by becoming a ‘torchbearer' of the Bernard Bragg Deaf Theatre, Signed Arts and Deaf Cinema Endowment," Fleischer said.

CSUN is one of only three institutions in the nation that offers a comprehensive undergraduate program in the area of deaf studies. It is designed to provide appropriate exposure and preparation for persons interested in professional careers as sign language interpreters, sign language instructors, counselors, government specialists, audiologists, speech pathologists, program administrators, community service personnel, and many other deaf-related vocations.