D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai facts for kids

D'Pharaoh Miskwaatez Loescher McKay Woon-A-Tai (born September 19, 2001) is a Canadian actor of Oji-Cree descent. He is best known for his role as Indigenous teenager Bear Smallhill in the FX on Hulu comedy-drama series Reservation Dogs (2021–2023), for which he received several accolades, including a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.

Early life

Woon-A-Tai and his fraternal twin Mi'De Xxavier were born in Toronto. Born D'Pharaoh Miskwaatez Loescher McKay Woon-A-Tai, his name reflects his Oji-Cree, Chinese-Guyanese, and German heritage. A black belt in Shotokan karate, he is the grandson of the notable Shotokan instructor Frank Woon-A-Tai on his mother's side. His paternal grandfather was Dr. Alex McKay, an Anishinaabemowin language professor at the University of Toronto's Indigenous Studies department.

Woon-A-Tai and his three (of what would eventually become five) siblings grew up in the Esplanade neighbourhood of Toronto and visited their paternal family in the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation. He attended Nelson Mandela Park Public School.

Career

Woon-A-Tai began his career with a recurring role as Chase Whaley in season 1 of the 2018 Family Channel series Holly Hobbie. In 2019, Woon-A-Tai played Tom Longboat in a two-episode arc of Murdoch Mysteries season 12. He made guest appearances as Lucky in Creeped Out and Mikey in Tribal.

Woon-A-Tai made his feature film debut as Hank in the film Beans directed by Tracey Deer, which was a 2020 Toronto International Film Festival selection and won Best Motion Picture at the Canadian Screen Awards.

In December 2020, it was announced Woon-A-Tai would star as Bear Smallhill in the 2021 FX on Hulu comedy-drama Reservation Dogs, "a slice-of-life triumph" from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. Set and filmed in rural Oklahoma, Reservation Dogs is a coming-of-age story that follows the antics of rebellious teenagers living on tribal land. The series' entire creative team, core cast, and crew consists of Indigenous people, with the addition of a few non-Native actors in supporting or guest roles. The Denver Gazette described Bear as "played spectacularly by D'Pharaoh, this series' breakout star." Reservation Dogs' second season premiered on August 3, 2022, and the third and final season premiered on August 2, 2023. His performance in the final season made him the first Indigenous actor to receive a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. He wore a red handprint at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards as a symbol of solidarity with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

In 2022, it was announced that Woon-A-Tai would be joining Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk in the duo's directorial debut Hell of a Summer, which was released in 2023. Woon-A-Tai plays Adam in the 2023 film Fitting In. He also stars in the indie thriller film Only the Good Survive, alongside Sidney Flanigan, Frederick Weller, and Will Ropp. The film was also released in 2023.

In March 2024, it was announced that Woon-A-Tai would be playing Ray Mendoza in Mendoza's upcoming film Warfare, alongside Noah Centineo, Charles Melton, Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, and Kit Connor. The film is directed by both Mendoza and Alex Garland who has directed notable films such as Civil War and Ex Machina. In April, the cast started military-style training in order to prepare for filming in London.

In September 2024, it was announced that Woon-A-Tai would be joining Darren Aronofsky's Caught Stealing alongside Bad Bunny, Zoe Kravitz, Austin Butler, Regina King, and Matt Smith.

Personal life

Woon-A-Tai has been dating American model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse since 2021. The pair live together in Los Angeles, and are both signed to IMG as models and for talent management. They both appear together in the music video for Rob & Jack Lahana's single "Haute saison". In 2024, they were both featured on Vogue Digital for Ralph Lauren.

Filmography

Film

Television

Web series

Videography

Music videos

Awards and nominations