Russell Means

Russell Means is most known for his work as a Native American human rights and political activist and as a leader of the American Indian Movement. He was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, but grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Acting came late in life when he was cast as the honorable Chief Chingachgook in Michael Mann's 1992 adaptation of "The Last of the Mohicans." His quietly charismatic performance led to more roles, including a small but dramatically pivotal part in Oliver Stone's hyperkinetic, controversial 1994 crime/romance movie, "Natural Born Killers," and in another James Fenimore Cooper adaptation, "Pathfinder." He featured in another "Pathfinder" in 2007, playing a leader of a Native American tribe who takes in a Viking warrior. Although most of his roles tend to be serious dramatic parts, he has occasionally been cast in dry comedic roles as well, most notably in Larry David's HBO show, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," playing an Indian handyman who also offers up words of medical wisdom. He has also done voice work for animated features, such as playing Chief Powhatan in Walt Disney's "Pocahontas."