With its homeless population having grown tenfold and crime on the rise since Mayor John Giles took office, it was disappointing but not surprising that Oscar-winning actor, Troy Kotsur’s vehicle was stolen shortly after he was given a key to the city.
According to NBC News, “Kotsur’s Jeep, with his Oscar inside, was stolen over the weekend while he was visiting his hometown of Mesa, Arizona.”
The Mesa Police Department issued a statement advising that Kotsur’s Jeep was stolen Saturday and recovered later that night.
Giles presented Kotsur with the key to the city at Mesa Arts Center.
Kotsur was awarded an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in March 2022 for his role in the film CODA. He was also recognized with a Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice Award, Gotham Award, Independent Spirit Award and BAFTA Award for the same role. Troy has been acting and directing for over 20 years, including as a Tusken Raider on Disney+’s The Mandalorian, wherein he created an adapted form of sign language for that series and The Book of Boba Fett.
“It is such a special honor to receive the key to the City of Mesa, the place where I was born and raised, and will always consider home. I’m grateful for the love and support of everyone in the community who have stood by me and supported me through the years,” said Kotsur. “I’m very proud to be able to share this recognition with my family and friends, right here in my hometown.”
Troy’s father, Leonard Kotsur, served as Mesa’s Police Chief and his brothers, Brian and Kevin, also had careers in public safety, serving as the City of Mesa’s Fire and Medical Deputy Chief and as Chief of Police in Avondale, respectively. Troy’s grandfather, Joe True, retired from Mesa Police as the City’s first motor officer. Troy is a graduate of Mesa’s Westwood High School and studied at Gallaudet University. He has collected acting and directing credits that include a role in the Tony-award-winning run of Big River on Broadway, several guest appearances on television and directing the film No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie.
While Mesa’s homeless population has grown tenfold, its population has only grown 14 percent in population, with families preferring to head to safer Phoenix suburbs like Queen Creek, Litchfield Park, Gilbert, and Chandler.