Billy Merasty
Known For
Acting
Born
1960-01-01 in Brochet, Manitoba, Canada
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.
Most Known For
American Experience
as Warrior
Relic Hunter
as Inuit Hunter
It Chapter Two
as Shokopiwah Man
Cardinal
as Billy Ralph Northwind
This Is Wonderland
as Brian Perot (as William Merasty)
SkyMed
as Glen
Diggstown
as Chief Thomas
Stardom
Wonderfalls
as Jerry
Casino Jack
as Bartender
Moby Dick
as Tashtego
No Price Too High
Exotica
as Man at opera
Acting Good
as Roger Laughingstick
The New World
as Kiskiak
Stellar
as Auntie 1
Mixed Blessings
as Mark
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
as Young Man Afraid
The Big White
as Cam
Liberty Street
as Nathan Jones