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.
Filmography (41 titles)
8.3MovieAberdeen
Alfred · 2024
MovieCafé Daughter
Amos Horseknife · 2023
5.0ShowActing Good
Roger Laughingstick · 2022
1.0MovieStellar
Auntie 1 · 2022
6.8ShowSkyMed
Glen · 2022
4.0MovieThe Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw
William Bearclaw · 2019
6.8MovieIt Chapter Two
Shokopiwah Man · 2019
6.8ShowDiggstown
Chief Thomas · 2019
7.5MovieFalls Around Her
Draven · 2018
6.9ShowCardinal
Billy Ralph Northwind · 2017
MovieHeritage Minutes: Queenston Heights
John Norton · 2013
5.7ShowMoby Dick
Tashtego · 2011
5.8MovieCasino Jack
Bartender · 2010
6.0MovieNorthern Lights
Jacob · 2009
MovieElijah
Elijah Harper · 2008
7.7ShowMurdoch Mysteries
Gravekeeper Gary Cardinal · 2008
Mixed Blessings
Mark · 2007
ShowMoose TV
2007
6.5MovieBury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Young Man Afraid · 2007
7.0ShowIndian Summer: The Oka Crisis
John Cree · 2006
6.5MovieThe New World
Kiskiak · 2005
6.2MovieThe Big White
Cam · 2005
6.4MovieBattle of the Brave
Owashak · 2004
7.7ShowWonderfalls
Jerry · 2004
8.0ShowThis Is Wonderland
Brian Perot (as William Merasty) · 2004
5.3MovieStardom
2000
5.4MovieThe Virginian
Lee Talltrees · 2000
6.8ShowRelic Hunter
Inuit Hunter · 1999
4.0MovieHoney Moccasin
Zachary John · 1998
6.0MovieThe Confessional
Moose · 1995