Billy Merasty
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.
Known For
Murdoch Mysteries
Gravekeeper Gary Cardinal
American Experience
Warrior
Heritage Minutes
John Norton
Relic Hunter
Inuit Hunter
Cardinal
Billy Ralph Northwind
It Chapter Two
Shokopiwah Man
SkyMed
Glen
This Is Wonderland
Brian Perot (as William Merasty)
Wonderfalls
Jerry
The New World
Kiskiak
Diggstown
Chief Thomas
Exotica
Man at Opera
Acting Good
Roger Laughingstick
Stellar
Auntie 1
The Big White
Cam
Casino Jack
Bartender
Moby Dick
Tashtego
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Young Man Afraid
Liberty Street
Nathan Jones
Stardom
No Price Too High
Honey Moccasin
Zachary John
Battle of the Brave
Owashak
Northern Lights
Jacob
Moose TV
Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis
John Cree
War of 1812
John Norton
The Broken Cord
Frank Cree
The Virginian
Lee Talltrees
Pocahontas: The Legend
Kocoum
X-Rated
Nathan Jones
Snake Treaty
The Confessional
Moose
Falls Around Her
Draven
Aberdeen
Alfred
Les Légendes du Grand Nord
Mawaki
Café Daughter
Amos Horseknife
Elijah
Elijah Harper
The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw
William Bearclaw