In a rare personal gesture, President Donald Trump has sent a letter of commendation to Greek-American actor George Pogatsia, honoring his courageous intervention in a recent abduction attempt in New Jersey.
The actor, known for his gritty roles in New York cinema, revealed to Greek Reporter that the White House reached out following the viral coverage of the incident.
“In the days following the coverage, I also received a personal letter from President Donald Trump acknowledging the incident,” Pogatsia stated. “While the attention was unexpected, the response underscored how strongly stories like this resonate—particularly around awareness, vigilance, and looking out for one another.”
The confrontation: Art imitating life
The recognition follows a chilling Saturday night in Jersey City Heights. Pogatsia, who has appeared in Law & Order between 2004 and 2008, and his wife were returning from dinner when they noticed a large man attempting to coerce two intoxicated teenagers—a 19-year-old girl and her cousin—into leaving with him.
When the suspect allegedly threw the “tiny” girl over his shoulder and threatened her with deportation to keep her quiet, Pogatsia’s instincts kicked in. Drawing on the “tough-guy” presence he often portrays on screen, the actor got in the man’s face and delivered a final ultimatum.
“I said, ‘Put the girl down right now or I’m f——- you up right here on the street,’” Pogatsia recalled. The suspect dropped the girl and fled immediately.
Greek American actor George Pogatsia rooted in Spartan values
Pogatsia, whose family roots hail from Sparta and Chios, has often spoken about the Greek concept of Philotimo—a sense of duty and honor toward others. His heritage has significantly shaped his “tough-guy” persona on screen. He often plays characters that reflect the gritty, working-class environment of Greek and Italian neighborhoods in New York.
He has worked closely with other prominent Greek-American figures in the industry, such as Nick Cassavetes.
Beyond acting, Pogatsia is known to support Greek-American cultural events. He has been a guest and supporter of the Hellenic Film Society USA, which promotes Greek cinema in the United States. He often speaks about the importance of Greek-American representation in Hollywood that goes beyond stereotypes.
In interviews, he often discusses how the Greek value of “Philotimo” (a complex word meaning honor, sacrifice, and doing the right thing for the community) guides his actions—a trait that was clearly on display during his real-life rescue in New Jersey.
For the actor, his intervention wasn’t about being a hero; it was about the values he was raised with in the Greek-American community of Astoria.
“I have a little girl, I have a wife, I have sisters,” he said. “The guy had bad intentions. It was obvious. I just wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t help.”
The Presidential letter highlights a growing national conversation on public safety and the importance of citizens looking out for one another. For Pogatsia, the focus remains on the victim’s safety and the hope that his actions inspire others to remain vigilant.
As he told TMZ shortly after the incident: “I’m happy I was able to step up and stop it.”
