Tatanka Means

Tatanka Wanbli Sapa Xila Sabe Means is an American actor and comedian of Oglala Lakota, Omaha, Yankton Dakota, and Diné descent, born on February 19, 1985 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He first entered the screen world in 2004 as the lead stunt double for the film Black Cloud, a project that was filmed in the same gym where he had previously trained as a boxer, demonstrating his early blend of physicality and performance. Since that debut, Means has built a diverse filmography that includes portraying historic Native figures such as Crazy Horse in the miniseries Into the West (2005) and the elite Pokanoket warrior Hobbamock in Saints & Strangers (2015). His role as Buddy Begay, a flamboyant “hip‑hop Navajo fry‑bread rock star” in More Than Frybread (2012), showcased his willingness to infuse humor with cultural nuance, even if some critics noted he “overdoes it a little,” a comment he embraces as part of the character’s personality. Critics praised his performance as Wolf Ortiz in Tiger Eyes (2012), describing him as “quietly affecting” and “utterly authentic,” a rare accolade for a Native actor navigating contemporary cinema. In addition to film, Means has appeared in television series such as Banshee, The Night Shift, and The Son, where he played the formidable Charges the Enemy. His commitment to portraying Native men as modern, complex individuals drives his choice of roles, rejecting stereotypical depictions in favor of depth and humanity. Beyond acting, Means is a stand‑up comedian with the group 49 Laughs Comedy, where his routines blend cultural commentary with personal anecdotes, often highlighting the playful teasing common among Native communities. As an entrepreneur, he founded “Tatanka Clothing,” a line that aims to raise cultural awareness, and in 2011 he earned the American Indian Business Leaders Entrepreneur of the Year award. Married to yoga instructor Christine Means, the couple resides in New Mexico with their daughter, and he remains an outspoken advocate for sobriety and Native representation in the arts.