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Tatanka Means

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Tatanka Means
Born
Tatanka Wanbli Sapa Xila Sabe Means

(1985-02-19) February 19, 1985 (age 39)
Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Comedian
Years active2004–present
SpouseChristine Means
Children1
Parents

Tatanka Wanbli Sapa Xila Sabe Means (born February 19, 1985) is an American actor and comedian, of Oglala Lakota, Omaha, Yankton Dakota, and Diné descent.[1] He is best known for his roles in Killers of the Flower Moon and The Son.

Acting career

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Means' first screen role was in 2004 playing lead stunt double in the film Black Cloud,[2] which was shot in the same gym where he had previously trained as a boxer.[3] He has since had major roles in several films and TV series. In the miniseries Into the West (2005) he played Crazy Horse.[1][2][4] In More Than Frybread (2012), he played Buddy Begay, a "hip-hop Navajo fry-bread rock star" who sells fry-bread from a truck on the reservation.[5] A reviewer who described it as the "showiest part" in the film said, "Means .. overdoes it a little ... but that's part of Buddy's personality."[5]

In Tiger Eyes (2012), based on the novel by Judy Blume, he played Wolf Ortiz,[2] a Native American boy who shows the main character his ancestral lands and introduces her to his culture.[6] Critics have applauded Means' casting and performance in Tiger Eyes. One described him as "quietly affecting";[7] another said that he "could have come off as a holy-native cliche, but instead seems entirely real";[8] and another wrote that he was "superbly cast ... [with] a voice that can quickly disarm and charm a newcomer ... it's clear that we're seeing something almost never seen in a contemporary feature film, which is an utterly authentic representation of a New Mexican." Another review said he is "New Mexican down to his body language and the expression in his eyes .. a thrill to behold on screen."[9]

Other major roles include Hobbamock, an elite Pokanoket warrior, in Saints & Strangers (2015),[10][11] Delvin in Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016),[12][13][14] and Charges the Enemy in The Son.[15][16] Means has also appeared in The Burrowers (2008) as 'Tall Ute',[2] Sedona (2011) as Chuck,[17] The Host (2013), Banshee (2014) as 'Hoyt Rivers',[18] A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014),[18] The Night Shift (2014-2015),[18] Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015),[18] and Graves (2016).

In 2019, he appears in Once Upon a River as Bernard Crane, in Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher as Rising Wolf,[19] and in The Dust Monologues as The Jackrabbit.[18] Also in 2019, he was cast in a film version of Alex Kershaw's book The Liberator as Private Thomas Otaktay, a Lakota soldier fighting with the 157th Field Artillery Regiment during World War II.[18]

Means takes pride in portraying Native men as modern, complex people rather than the racist or stereotypical characters sometimes found in Hollywood films.[3]

Acting awards

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For his role as Wolf in Tiger Eyes, Means received the award of Best Supporting Actor in the American Indian Film Festival,[20] Best Actor in a Motion Picture at the Red Nation Film Festival,[21] and Tamalewood Award at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival.[9] He has also won Best Actor at the Nevada Film Festival for his role as Jim Sundell in Derby Kings (2012)[22] and Best Male Actor at the Dreamspeakers Film Festival, Edmonton, Alberta, for the same film.[23]

Comedy career

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As a comedian, Means performs with the group 49 Laughs Comedy.[1][24][25][26] Other members include Pax Harvey,[24][25][26] James Junes,[24][25][26] Ernie Tsosie ii,[24][25][26] and Adrianne Chalepah.[25][26] His standup routines have strong ties back to his Native heritage.[24] In one popular standup, he discusses how Native people tease each other ruthlessly and always solve any awkwardness with the phrase “Aaaayyyyeeee". In another, as he tries to explain email, his grandfather is horrified that he would throw spam into the trash.[24]

Entrepreneur

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Means was awarded the American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL) Entrepreneur of the year award in 2011. He created an original clothing line called “Tatanka Clothing”,[1] which is intended to create cultural awareness for Native people and Native business people.[3] In 2006, he appeared in a 21st Century Skins Native American Men's Calendar,[4] which he also helped market.[27]

Personal life

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Tatanka Means is one of ten children of activist Russell Means (Oglala Lakota) and his wife. His father as a young man was one of the influential leaders of the American Indian Movement in 1970 and later, which conducted large protests to raise awareness and educate mainstream Americans about Native American issues, civil rights issues, and demand for enforcement of treaties and gains in sovereignty by federally recognized tribes.

The elder Means later performed as an actor. Russell Means appeared in Tiger Eyes, playing the terminally ill screen father of Tatanka's character.[2][6] He died soon after filming ended.[6] Tatanka Means carried his father's urn during the funeral.[28]

Means' full Lakota name, Tatanka Wanbli Sapa Xila Sabe, means Black Buffalo Eagle.[29]

Originally growing up with his mother in Chinle, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation,[1] Means now lives with his own family in New Mexico.[2] His wife Christine Means is a yoga instructor. The couple has one daughter. Means is an advocate for sobriety and not using alcohol or drugs.[24][25]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 The Burrowers Tall Ute
Turok: Son of Stone Bridge Sentry Voice, direct-to-video[30]
2011 More Than Frybread Buddy Begay
Sedona Chuck
2012 Tiger Eyes Wolf
2013 The Host Seeker Hawke
2014 A Million Ways to Die in the West Other Apache
2015 Hybrids Lance Hatton
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Joe
Burning Bodhi Lucas
2016 Neither Wolf Nor Dog Delvin
Shangri-La Suite Officer Gingrass
2023 Surrounded Scar
Killers of the Flower Moon John Wren
2024 Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 Taklishim
Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 Taklishim
TBA Wind River: The Next Chapter Post-production
Opus Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Into the West Crazy Horse Miniseries, 2 episodes
2008 Comanche Moon Slipping Weasel Miniseries, 2 episodes
2009 American Experience Nookau 1 episode
2010 In Plain Sight Young Fighter 1 episode
2010 Scoundrels Oscar Altsoba 1 episode
2014 Banshee Hoyt Rivers 4 episodes
2014 Killer Women Police Officer Stan 1 episode
2014-2015 The Night Shift Paramedic Gonzalez 4 episodes
2015 Saints & Strangers Hobbamock Miniseries, 2 episodes
2016 Graves Russell Pratt 1 episode
2017 The Son Charges the Enemy Recurring role, 6 episodes
2020 FBI: Most Wanted Cody Sampson 1 episode
2020 I Know This Much Is True Nabby Drinkwater Miniseries, 2 episodes
2020 The Liberator Private Otaktay Miniseries, 2 episodes
2022 Reservation Dogs Sam 1 episode
2024 Ark: The Animated Series Mato Voice, 1 episode
2024 Outer Range Officer Edgar 1 episode

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 Red Dead Redemption 2 Skinners Voice[30]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Montoya, Isaiah (July 9, 2010). "Native actor sees success in film". Navajo Times. Window Rock, Arizona. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Gomez, Adrian (December 5, 2010). "Next Heartthrob Lives in Rio Rancho". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Montclair-Donaghy, Nicole (April 20, 2012). "A Last Real Indians Interview with Tatanka Means". Last Real Indians. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Steen, Jomay (December 22, 2005). "Calendar features Indian hunks". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. p. B1. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Goodykoontz, Bill. "'Frybread' overdone: Native fun wears thin". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. pp. P1, P2. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Phillips, Michael. "Son steers tale by Blume on an apt, gentle course". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 41. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  7. ^ Linden, Sheri (June 7, 2013). "Healing power of kinship". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. D10. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  8. ^ Pousner, Howard (February 15, 2013). "Even after tragedy, Blume's 'Tiger Eyes' sees good in life". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. D6. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Levin, Jennifer (October 12, 2012). "Family Ties - Judy Blume's Tiger Eyes, made in New Mexico". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, New Mexico. pp. ZO38–ZO39. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  10. ^ Ullmann, Owen; Albert, Chris (November 9, 2015). "Telling the true story of Thanksgiving". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Honolulu, Hawaii. p. A2. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  11. ^ Gomez, Adrian (November 20, 2015). "'Saints and Strangers' - Two New Mexicans star in the National Geographic movie". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. V18. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  12. ^ Volmers, Eric (November 23, 2017). "A historic proposition". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. p. B4. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  13. ^ Price, Matthew (August 31, 2018). "Movie Review: 'Neither Wolf Nor Dog'". The Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. p. D4. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  14. ^ Conner, Elysia (September 29, 2018). "Independent film premieres in Casper". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyoming. p. A4. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  15. ^ "Watch This: Saturday". The Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. April 22, 2017. p. B6. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  16. ^ Gomez, Adrian (April 15, 2017). "Local actor proud of 'The Son' role". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. pp. C1–C2. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  17. ^ Goodykoontz, Bill (March 16, 2012). "Majestic scenery can't save 'Sedona'". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. P6. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  18. ^ a b c d e f Baeza, Valerie (April 15, 2019). "New Mexico Talent: The Dust Monologues: The Jackrabbit". NM Film News. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  19. ^ "Fifth annual Holba' Pisachi' Native Film Festival highlights talent from many nations". Red Lake Nation News. Redby, Minnesota. September 12, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  20. ^ "Winners Announced – American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show". American Indian Film Institute. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  21. ^ "Red Nation Film Fest". Beverly Hills Courier. Beverly Hills, California. January 4, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "2013 Winners". Nevada Film Festival. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  23. ^ Gomez, Adrian (August 9, 2013). "Ritual of Demolition Derby". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. V17. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g Sanchez, Aurelio (June 4, 2010). "Comedians find laughs in Native foibles". Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. V3. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Huntsman, Josh (May 13, 2011). "Comedy show benefits Paiutes". The Daily Spectrum. Saint George, Utah. pp. A1, A5. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  26. ^ a b c d e Peters, Linda (September 17, 2014). "49 Laughs Comedy group at Vee Quiva". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. A11. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  27. ^ Steen, Jomay (October 7, 2005). "Vendors to converge on powwow". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. p. B1. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  28. ^ "Russell Means Farewell: Son Cradles His Father on Final Journey". Indian Country Today. October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  29. ^ Holmes, Kelly (November–December 2014). "Tatanka Means Seriously Funny". Native Max Magazine: 48–51. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  30. ^ a b "Tatanka Means (visual voices guide) - Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 1, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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