Tatanka Means

Tatanka Means was born on February 19, 1985, in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA. He is of Oglala Lakota, Omaha, Yankton Dakota, and Diné descent, a heritage he proudly represents in his work and personal life. His career in entertainment started with stunt work, notably as a lead stunt double in the film *Black Cloud* in 2004, which incidentally was filmed in a gym where he had previously trained as a boxer. This early experience set the stage for a diverse career that would encompass acting, comedy, and entrepreneurship, often with a focus on raising cultural awareness for Native people.

His acting career gained momentum with significant roles across film and television. In 2005, he portrayed Crazy Horse in the miniseries *Into the West*. Further notable performances include Wolf Ortiz in *Tiger Eyes* (2012), Hobbamock in *Saints & Strangers* (2015), and Charges the Enemy in the AMC series *The Son* (2017). Means’ commitment to authentic representation of Native men on screen is a hallmark of his acting. He has also starred alongside notable actors such as Mark Ruffalo in HBO’s *I Know This Much Is True* (2020) and Pierce Brosnan in *The Son*.

Beyond acting, Tatanka Means is a respected stand-up comedian, performing with the group 49 Laughs Comedy across the U.S. and Canada. His comedy routines frequently draw from his Native heritage, using humor to bridge cultural gaps and deliver motivational messages. In addition to his performing arts career, Means is an entrepreneur; he launched his own apparel company, “Tatanka Clothing,” aimed at promoting cultural awareness. His dedication to his craft and culture has earned him accolades, including the Entertainer of the Year award from the National Indian Gaming Association.