Mesa's Troy Kotsur Wins Best Supporting Actor Oscar

MESA, AZ —Troy Kotsur, who grew up in Mesa and currently lives in the city, won the Oscar for best supporting actor at Sunday's 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

Kotsur, 53, won for his performance in the movie "CODA" an Apple TV+ movie about a deaf fisherman in Massachusetts (Kotsur) trying to relate to his hearing daughter. The movie also won the Oscar for best picture.

Kotsur became the first deaf man to win an Oscar for acting. Kotsur's "CODA" co-star Marlee Matlin was previously the only deaf person to win an acting Oscar. Matlin won best actress for her performance in "Children of Lesser God," in 1987.

According to the New York Times, Kotsur has said that Matlin's performance in that film inspired him to pursue a career in acting.

In his acceptance speech, which was delivered in sign language, Kotsur mentioned his hometown and also talked about his father, Len Kotsur, the former Mesa police chief who was paralyzed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in 1987, according to the Arizona Republic. The elder Kotsur died in 2001.

"My dad, he was the best signer in our family," Troy Kotsur said. "But he was in a car accident, and he became paralyzed from the neck down, and he no longer was able to sign. Dad, I learned so much from you. I'll always love you. You are my hero. Thank you to my biggest fans, my wife and my daughter, Kyra, and my hometown of Mesa, Arizona, and Mark Finley, my manager, and our team.

Mesa Mayor John Giles tweeted congratulations to Kotsur Sunday night.

"Congratulations to Mesa's own Troy Kotsur on winning the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role in the film CODA. What an incredible accomplishment. Can't wait to see what you do next!" Giles wrote.

Last week, the city of Mesa posted a 17-plus minute video of people from Kotsur's life wishing him luck at Sunday's ceremony.

Kotsur also had won a BAFTA Award, SAG Award and Critics Choice Award for his performance in "CODA."

Kotsur, who attended Phoenix Day School for the Deaf and Westwood High School in Mesa, dedicated his Oscar victory to several people, including the "CODA community." CODA stands for child of a deaf adult.

"I just wanted to say that this is dedicated to the Deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community. This is our moment," Kotsur said. "To my mom, my dad and my brother Mark, they're not here today. But look at me now. I did it. I love you. Thank you.

In the best supporting actor category, Kotsur was nominated alongside Kodi Smit-McPhee ("The Power of the Dog"), Jesse Plemons ("The Power of the Dog"), Ciaran Hinds ("Belfast") and J.K. Simmons ("Being The Ricardos").

According to the Arizona Republic, after growing up in Mesa, Kotsur lived in California for years before returning to live in his hometown.