Acting
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
Aberdeen
Film · 2024
Café Daughter
Film · 2023
Stellar
Film · 2022
Acting Good
Series · 2022
SkyMed
Series · 2022
It Chapter Two
Film · 2019
The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw
Film · 2019
Diggstown
Series · 2019
Falls Around Her
Film · 2018
Cardinal
Series · 2017
Heritage Minutes: Queenston Heights
Film · 2013
Moby Dick
Series · 2011
Casino Jack
Film · 2010
Northern Lights
Film · 2009
Elijah
Film · 2008
Murdoch Mysteries
Series · 2008
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Film · 2007
Moose TV
Series · 2007
Mixed Blessings
Series · 2007
Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis
Series · 2006
The Big White
Film · 2005
The New World
Film · 2005
Battle of the Brave
Film · 2004
Wonderfalls
Series · 2004
This Is Wonderland
Series · 2004
Stardom
Film · 2000
The Virginian
Film · 2000
Relic Hunter
Series · 1999
War of 1812
Series · 1999
Honey Moccasin
Film · 1998
Pocahontas: The Legend
Film · 1995
Les Légendes du Grand Nord
Film · 1995
The Confessional
Film · 1995
Liberty Street
Series · 1995
No Price Too High
Series · 1995
X-Rated
Film · 1994
Exotica
Film · 1994
The Broken Cord
Film · 1992
Heritage Minutes
Series · 1991
The Shaman's Source
Film · 1990
Snake Treaty
Film · 1989
Justice Denied
Film · 1989
American Experience
Series · 1988