Billy Merasty

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

American Experience

Relic Hunter

This Is Wonderland

It Chapter Two

Cardinal

SkyMed

Diggstown

All Movies (26)

• Aberdeen2024 · as Alfred
• Café Daughter2023 · as Amos Horseknife
• Stellar2022 · as Auntie 1
• The Incredible 25th Year of Mitzi Bearclaw2019 · as William Bearclaw
• It Chapter Two2019 · as Shokopiwah Man
• Falls Around Her2018 · as Draven
• Heritage Minutes: Queenston Heights2013 · as John Norton
• Casino Jack2010 · as Bartender
• Northern Lights2009 · as Jacob
• Elijah2008 · as Elijah Harper
• Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee2007 · as Young Man Afraid
• The New World2005 · as Kiskiak
• The Big White2005 · as Cam
• Battle of the Brave2004 · as Owashak
• Stardom2000
• The Virginian2000 · as Lee Talltrees
• Honey Moccasin1998 · as Zachary John
• The Confessional1995 · as Moose
• Pocahontas: The Legend1995 · as Kocoum
• Les Légendes du Grand Nord1995 · as Mawaki
• Exotica1994 · as Man at Opera
• X-Rated1994 · as Nathan Jones
• The Broken Cord1992 · as Frank Cree
• The Shaman's Source1990 · as Mathew Hare
• Justice Denied1989 · as Donald Marshall, Jr.
• Snake Treaty1989

All TV Shows (15)

• Acting Good2022 · as Roger Laughingstick
• SkyMed2022 · as Glen
• Diggstown2019 · as Chief Thomas
• Cardinal2017 · as Billy Ralph Northwind
• Moby Dick2011 · as Tashtego
• Murdoch Mysteries2008 · as Gravekeeper Gary Cardinal
• Mixed Blessings2007 · as Mark
• Moose TV2007
• Indian Summer: The Oka Crisis2006 · as John Cree
• Wonderfalls2004 · as Jerry
• This Is Wonderland2004 · as Brian Perot (as William Merasty)
• Relic Hunter1999 · as Inuit Hunter
• Liberty Street1995 · as Nathan Jones
• No Price Too High1995
• American Experience1988 · as Warrior