Troy was born in Hudson, Wisconsin and grew up in Hammond, Wisconsin where he attended St. Croix Central High School. At the age of 15 he read the book "Let's Make Movies" and began making Super 8mm films with his best friends. Later he attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and graduated from the University of Arizona. He founded his own production company, Wellington Studios Productions. He is the older brother of writer Alexandria Robbyn Teresa LaFaye.