Billy Merasty
Known for: Acting
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
Series
Murdoch Mysteries
Gravekeeper Gary Cardinal
2008
Series
American Experience
Warrior
1988
Series
Relic Hunter
Inuit Hunter
1999
Film
It Chapter Two
Shokopiwah Man
2019
Series
Heritage Minutes
John Norton
1991
Series
SkyMed
Glen
2022
Series
This Is Wonderland
Brian Perot (as William Merasty)
2004
Series
Cardinal
Billy Ralph Northwind
2017
Series
Diggstown
Chief Thomas
2019
Series
Wonderfalls
Jerry
2004
Film
The New World
Kiskiak
2005
Film
The Big White
Cam
2005
Series
Acting Good
Roger Laughingstick
2022
Series
Moby Dick
Tashtego
2011
Film
Exotica
Man at Opera
1994
Film
Stellar
Auntie 1
2022
Series
Liberty Street
Nathan Jones
1995
Film
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Young Man Afraid
2007
Film
Casino Jack
Bartender
2010
Film
Stardom
2000
Series
Moose TV
2007
Series
No Price Too High
1995
Film
Battle of the Brave
Owashak
2004
Mixed Blessings
Mark
2007
Film
Honey Moccasin
Zachary John
1998
Series
Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis
John Cree
2006
Film
The Confessional
Moose
1995
Film
Northern Lights
Jacob
2009
Snake Treaty
1989
Film
The Virginian
Lee Talltrees
2000
Film
Falls Around Her
Draven
2018
Film
Pocahontas: The Legend
Kocoum
1995
Film
Elijah
Elijah Harper
2008
Film
Les Légendes du Grand Nord
Mawaki
1995
Film
X-Rated
Nathan Jones
1994
Film
The Broken Cord
Frank Cree
1992
Film
Justice Denied
Donald Marshall, Jr.
1989
Film
Café Daughter
Amos Horseknife
2023
Film
Aberdeen
Alfred
2024
Film
The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw
William Bearclaw
2019
The Shaman's Source
Mathew Hare
1990
Film
Heritage Minutes: Queenston Heights
John Norton
2013