Billy Merasty
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.
Acting
Movie
It Chapter Two
as Shokopiwah Man
2019
Movie
The New World
as Kiskiak
2005
Movie
Exotica
as Man at Opera
1994
Movie
The Big White
as Cam
2005
Movie
Casino Jack
as Bartender
2010
TV
Murdoch Mysteries
as Gravekeeper Gary Cardinal
2008
TV
Relic Hunter
as Inuit Hunter
1999
TV
Cardinal
as Billy Ralph Northwind
2017
Movie
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
as Young Man Afraid
2007
TV
Wonderfalls
as Jerry
2004
TV
SkyMed
as Glen
2022
TV
American Experience
as Warrior
1988
TV
Moby Dick
as Tashtego
2011
Movie
Northern Lights
as Jacob
2009
Movie
Stardom
2000
Movie
The Confessional
as Moose
1995
Movie
Battle of the Brave
as Owashak
2004
Movie
Pocahontas: The Legend
as Kocoum
1995
Movie
The Virginian
as Lee Talltrees
2000
TV
Diggstown
as Chief Thomas
2019
Movie
The Broken Cord
as Frank Cree
1992
Movie
Aberdeen
as Alfred
2024
Movie
X-Rated
as Nathan Jones
1994
TV
Liberty Street
as Nathan Jones
1995