Native American Actors have been getting their due in recent years in Hollywood, with younger and older Indigenous actors benefiting from more opportunities. Native Americans, indigenous peoples, and First Nations people are all names for peoples that can trace their origins back to the original tribes, confederations, and communities that called America home long before any Europeans landed. Persecuted from the beginning, even modern Hollywood is not free from the sin of disrespecting and disenfranchising Native American actors. There is a long and sad history of Hollywood glossing over Indigenous roles, that's when they are included.
But history has changed in the 21st century. Native American films and TV shows tell real stories of indigenous people, made by and starring those closest to them. With programs like Reserve dogs and Dark Windsand films like Rez Ball proving popular with critics and audiences alike, there has been an increase in positive representation of Native Americans on screen. Some of these notable Native American actors have been working for decades, finally getting the recognition they deserve, and others are starting out at the beginning of their careers.
15
Adam's Beach
The Power of the Dog (2021), Arctic Air (2012-2014)
Adam Beach is a Saulteaux Anishinaabe actor who has been working since the 1990s, when he first appeared in the TV movie, Lost in the Sertões as an unidentified member of the hunting party. This led to increasingly significant roles such as Law and Order: Special Victims Unit as Detective Chester Lake and Arctic Air like Bobby Martin. His film performances include playing William Lonestar in The New Mutantsslip knot in Suicide Squadand Edward Nappo in The power of the dog. He earned a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Charles Eastman in Bury my heart on my wounded knee.
14
Tanaya Beatty
Yellowstone (2018-2022), Crimes of the Future (2022)
Tanaya Beatty first came to prominence with The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 like Rachel Black. She later appeared in Crimes of the Future like Berst and The bird that fears death like Constance. In recent years, Beatty has made a name for himself on shows such as The night shift as Dr. Shannon Rivera and yellow stone like Avery. She often plays capable, cool characters who are strong under even the worst kinds of pressure.
13
Gil Birmingham
Wind River (2017), Yellowstone (2018 to present)
Although Gil Birmingham has been acting since the 80s, it is his role as Thomas Rainwater in yellow stone this put him in the spotlight. He also played Billy Black in Twilight SagaRed Knee in The Lone RangerMartin Hanson in Wind Riverand Chief Sherman in Transformers: The Last Knight. His other notable TV roles include Bill Taba in Under the Flag of HeavenSheriff Dale Bishop in Sirenand Pearce in animal kingdom. Birmingham often plays powerful members of the community and law enforcement officials.
12
Alaqua Cox
Echo (2024), Hawkeye (2021)
Alaqua Cox, of the Menominee and Mohawk Nation, is a newcomer actress whose role as Maya Lopez or “Echo” in Hawkeye and Echo made her one of the few Native American characters in the MCU. She's only worked in the MCU in her career, but the rookie actress' star will likely only rise following the MCU's success. Cox is absolutely perfect for the role of Echo, but Her performance ferocity and emotional capacity suggest she could fit into a wider range of film and TV roles.
11
Gary Farmer
Reserve Dogs (2021-2022), Resident Alien (2021-2024)
Gary Farmer is from the Cayuga Nation and Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and has been active for decades, first appearing in an episode of American Theater in 1983. His career has taken him on a long journey, but he particularly excels in comedy, able to wield his stature, size, and deadpan comedic timing to maximum effect. Farmer's recent film credits include playing Calvin in Quantum Cowboys and moon in Quantum Blood. His notable TV credits include playing Earl on Rutherford Falls and James Toledo in The Curse.
10
Lily Gladstone
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Under the Bridge (2024)
Lily Gladstone made waves for her performance in Martin Scorsese's film Flower Moon Assassins where she plays Mollie Burkhart. The performance earned Gladstone an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe and SAG win. It's not the only successful role she's played in recent years. Gladstone also had a memorable race Reserve dogs as Hotki and star of the series Under the bridge like Cam Bentland. His first role came in the 2012 French drama, Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian like Sunshine First Circle.
9
Graham Greene
Wind River (2017), Eco (2024)
Graham Greene is an Oneida actor whose first professional film performance came in 1981, when he played John Norton in Read all about it! He has had many notable TV roles since then, including starring in Echo like Skully, Goliath like Littlecrow, and Challenge as Rafe McCawley. Greene's film credits include Ben Shoyo in Wind RiverJudge Dustin Foxman on Molly's gameand Warren Stokes in Horns. A reliable actor, Greene elevates everything he does, even if it's just for one scene or episode.
8
Blue Hunt
Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023), The New Mutants (2020)
The part-Apache, part-Oglala Lakota, Blu Hunt, is a young Native American actor new to Hollywood. Hunt began his professional career on television, first appearing in an episode of Girl on girl as a character also named Blu. She then appeared in The Originals as The Hollow, a recurring character in season 4, and Another life like August Catawnee. His big break came in 2020 with The New Mutantswhere she co-starred as Dani “Mirage” Moonstar, a mutant who can create illusions. Hunt recently starred The dead thing like Alex.
7
Zahn McClarnon
The Forever Purge (2021), Dark Winds (2022 to present)
Zahn McClarnon, who is of Hunkpapa Lakota ancestry, has long been a representative of Native Americans in film and television, beginning in 1992 when he appeared in an episode of Baywatch as a character named Bear Sutter. He later went on to have larger roles in Dr. Quinn, Physician like Cloud Walks and Red Deer, Fargo like Hanzee Dent, Western World like Akecheta, and Dark Winds as Joe Leaphorn. McClarnon's film credits include Tomahawk Bone like the teacher, Doctor Sleep like Crow Daddy, and The purge forever like Chiago.
6
Amber Half Thunder
Prey (2022), Rez Ball (2024)
Amber Midthunder is descended from Hunkpapa Lakota, Sisseton Dakota, and Sahiyaiyeskabi Assiniboine. Midthunder has been active since the early 2000s, first appearing in the film Jimmy Whitecloud's Homecoming like a nameless little girl. In recent years, she has had some notable successes, including Hell or high water as Nicole Martinez, Prey like Naru, and Rez Ball as Dezbah Weaver. Midthunder's TV credits include Kerry Loudermilk in LegionRose Ortecho in Roswell, New Mexicoand Princess Yue in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
5
Carmen Moore
The Flash (2021-2023), Nancy Drew (2020-2021)
Carmen Moore is Wet'suwet'en and made her professional debut in The Commissioner like Shirley. Later film roles include Rustic Oracle like Susana and Birds that fear death like Shannon. She has a long history of TV roles, including playing Simone in GodivaJoely Lavant in Flash Gordonand Lareen Cassway in Arctic Air. Moore's most recent television performances include Mina Fayad in ArrowHannah Gruen in Nancy Drewand Kristen Kramer in The Flash​​​​​​.
4
Moses brings abundance
Yellowstone (2018 to present), Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
Moses Brings Plenty is an Oglala Lakota actor who No longer a bit of an unknown thanks to some notable recent roles. His career began with small performances in House of cards as Chief Whitehall and Cowboys and aliens like an Apache warrior. Lately, he's had some significant roles, playing Shep Wauneka in Jurassic World DominionMo in yellow stoneMinco Dodge in Lawmen: Bass Reevesand Sitting Bull The American West.
3
Kali Reis
True Detective: Night Country (2024), Asphalt City (2023)
Kali Reis is a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag tribe and a professional boxer with a 19-7 lifetime record with five KOs. Reis burst onto the scene with her incredible performance as Evangelie Navarro in True Detective: Night Country. However, this wasn't Reis' first on-screen performance, and she previously played Kaylee in Take the fair and Nia in Asphalted City. Reis has some notable films, including Rebuilding, Compassionand Wind River: The Next Chapter.
2
Chase Spencer
The Twilight Saga (2009-2012), Echo (2024)
Chaske Spencer, a Lakota, Nez Perce, Cherokee and Muscogee actor, has been in the industry for some time, first appearing in the Dusk saga as Sam Uley. He had some small TV roles around the same time, appearing in Banshee as Representative Billy Raven and Jessica Jones like Jace Montero. The 2020s have been good to the actor, however, and he's had big roles in Echo as Henry “Black Crow” Lopez and The English as a sergeant. Eli Whipp/Wounded Wolf. Spencer is also expected to appear in Wind River: The Next Chapter.
1
Wes Studi
Heat (1995), Reserve Dogs (2021-2023)
Wes Studi, a Cherokee actor, has long been America's favorite actor. Native American parts. Studi has appeared in several Oscar-winning films since beginning his career in the 1980s, beginning with Powwow Highway as Buff. He plays Sammy Casals in Warm upEytukan in avatarand Harrison in Fixing the Line. Studi's notable television roles include Kaetenay in Terrible PennyBucky in Reserve dogsand sunny in Ranger Spirits. In 2019, Studi was recognized for his career with an Honorary Oscar.