Tatanka Means facts for kids

Tatanka Means was born on February 19, 1985. He is an American actor and comedian. Tatanka comes from several Native American groups, including Oglala Lakota, Omaha, Yankton Dakota, and Diné (Navajo). He is well-known for his roles in movies like Killers of the Flower Moon and the TV show The Son.

Tatanka's Acting Journey

Tatanka Means started his acting career in 2004. His very first role was as a stunt double in the movie Black Cloud. This movie was filmed in the same gym where he used to train as a boxer!

Since then, he has played many important characters in films and TV shows. In the miniseries Into the West (2005), he played the famous Native American leader Crazy Horse.

In the movie More Than Frybread (2012), Tatanka played Buddy Begay. Buddy was a "hip-hop Navajo fry-bread rock star" who sold fry-bread from a truck. Reviewers said he played this fun role very well.

Playing Wolf in Tiger Eyes

One of Tatanka's most praised roles was as Wolf Ortiz in Tiger Eyes (2012). This movie was based on a book by Judy Blume. Wolf was a Native American boy who showed the main character his ancestral lands and taught her about his culture.

Critics really liked Tatanka's acting in Tiger Eyes. They said he was "quietly affecting" and seemed "entirely real." One reviewer even said he was "superbly cast" and had a "voice that can quickly disarm and charm." People felt his portrayal of a New Mexican Native person was very true to life.

Other Notable Roles

Tatanka has played many other interesting characters. He was Hobbamock, a strong Pokanoket warrior, in Saints & Strangers (2015). He also played Delvin in Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016) and Charges the Enemy in The Son.

You might have also seen him in shows like Banshee (2014) and The Night Shift (2014-2015). He also appeared in movies like Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015).

In 2019, he was in Once Upon a River and The Liberator. In The Liberator, he played Private Thomas Otaktay, a Lakota soldier who fought in World War II.

Tatanka is proud to show Native men as modern and complex people in his roles. He wants to avoid old, unfair stereotypes sometimes seen in movies.

Awards for Acting

Tatanka Means has won several awards for his acting.

For his role as Wolf in Tiger Eyes, he received:

• Best Supporting Actor at the American Indian Film Festival
• Best Actor in a Motion Picture at the Red Nation Film Festival
• The Tamalewood Award at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival

He also won Best Actor at the Nevada Film Festival. This was for his role as Jim Sundell in the movie Derby Kings (2012). He also won Best Male Actor for the same film at the Dreamspeakers Film Festival in Edmonton, Alberta.

Comedy Shows

Tatanka Means is also a comedian! He performs with a group called 49 Laughs Comedy. Other comedians in the group include Pax Harvey and James Junes.

His comedy routines often connect to his Native heritage. For example, he has a popular standup bit where he talks about how Native people playfully tease each other. He also jokes about trying to explain email to his grandfather, who gets confused about throwing "spam" (the meat) into the trash!

Entrepreneurship

In 2011, Tatanka Means won the American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL) Entrepreneur of the Year award.

He created his own clothing line called "Tatanka Clothing." This clothing line aims to raise awareness about Native people and Native businesses. In 2006, he also appeared in a Native American Men's Calendar, which he helped to market.

About Tatanka's Life

Tatanka Means is one of ten children. His father was Russell Means, a famous activist from the Oglala Lakota group. Russell Means was an important leader of the American Indian Movement in the 1970s. This movement held big protests to make people aware of Native American issues and civil rights. They also worked to make sure treaties were followed and that tribes had more control over their own lands.

Tatanka's father, Russell, also became an actor later in his life. He even appeared in Tiger Eyes with Tatanka, playing the father of Tatanka's character. Russell Means passed away shortly after filming that movie. Tatanka carried his father's urn during the funeral.

Tatanka's full Lakota name is Tatanka Wanbli Sapa Xila Sabe. This beautiful name means Black Buffalo Eagle.

Tatanka grew up with his mother in Chinle, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Today, he lives with his own family in New Mexico. His wife, Christine Means, is a yoga instructor. They have one daughter.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

See also

In Spanish: Tatanka Means para niños