Billy Merasty
Born: 1960-01-01 in Brochet, Manitoba, Canada
Known For: Acting
Biography
Billy Merasty is an actor, playwright, Cree translator, and language keeper. He was born to Viola and Pierre Merasty in 1960 in Brochet, Manitoba. His grandfather was Joe Highway, a famous caribou hunter and champion dogsled racer. He moved to Toronto at age eighteen in search for his uncle René Highway, who was at the time working for the Toronto Dance Theatre. At age twenty-three Billy launched his acting career after graduating from the Native Theatre School for aspiring Indigenous artists. He then went on to work for the renowned Indigenous performing arts company Native Earth Performing Arts. Billy has worked as a film, television, and stage actor for decades and notably played the first Indigenous gay character on television on the CBC series, Liberty Street, in the role of Nathan. Billy received the Order of Manitoba (Order of the Buffalo Hunt) in recognition for his many years as an Indigenous role model in 2010.
Filmography
2024
- Aberdeen as Alfred
2023
- Café Daughter as Amos Horseknife
2022
- SkyMed as Glen
- Acting Good as Roger Laughingstick
- Stellar as Auntie 1
2019
- It Chapter Two as Shokopiwah Man
- Diggstown as Chief Thomas
- The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw as William Bearclaw
2018
- Falls Around Her as Draven
2017
- Cardinal as Billy Ralph Northwind
2013
- Heritage Minutes: Queenston Heights as John Norton
2011
- Moby Dick as Tashtego
2010
- Casino Jack as Bartender
2009
- Northern Lights as Jacob
2008
- Murdoch Mysteries as Gravekeeper Gary Cardinal
- Elijah as Elijah Harper
2007
- Mixed Blessings as Mark
- Moose TV
- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee as Young Man Afraid
2006
- Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis as John Cree
2005
- The New World as Kiskiak
- The Big White as Cam
2004
- This Is Wonderland as Brian Perot (as William Merasty)
- Wonderfalls as Jerry
- Battle of the Brave as Owashak
2000
- Stardom
- The Virginian as Lee Talltrees
1999
- Relic Hunter as Inuit Hunter
1998
- Honey Moccasin as Zachary John
1995
- Liberty Street as Nathan Jones
- No Price Too High
- The Confessional as Moose
- Pocahontas: The Legend as Kocoum
- Les Légendes du Grand Nord as Mawaki
1992
- The Broken Cord as Frank Cree
1990
- The Shaman's Source as Mathew Hare
1989
- Justice Denied as Donald Marshall, Jr.
- Snake Treaty
1988
- American Experience as Warrior