Jimmy Herman

Jimmy Herman (October 25, 1940 - September 13, 2013) was an Aboriginal Canadian actor who appeared in several films, including Dances with Wolves.[1][2]

Jimmy Herman
Born(1940-10-25)October 25, 1940
Cold Lake Reserve, Alberta, Canada
DiedSeptember 13, 2013(2013-09-13) (aged 72)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Resting placeCold Lake Reserve, Alberta
OccupationActor
Years active1984–2007

Biography

He was born on the Cold Lake Reserve in Alberta, Canada. His descents were Chipewyan and Dene. Herman moved to Edmonton in 1980 to study at Grant MacEwan College's Native Communications Program. There, he received the Malcolm Calliou Award for his ambition to succeed, and to inspire other Aboriginal people to do the same. After his graduation from Grant MacEwan, he accepted employment with Native Counseling Services of Alberta as a media assistant in the media department. During this time, he did some narration work for Native Counseling Services, ACCESS radio, and the National Film Board.

A small part in a CBC Television pilot program called John Cat, based on a W. P. Kinsella book, sparked Herman’s interest in acting, and he decided to leave his position at Native Counseling Services to pursue a career in the performing arts. In April 1989, a Los Angeles casting agent chose him for a part in Dances With Wolves. His role in the film was a Sioux warrior named Stone Calf.

He went on to perform numerous roles in feature films and television series in Canada and the United States, including an extra in the Academy Award-winning Western, Unforgiven, the television film Crazy Horse[3] The X-Files and a ten-year stint on CBC's North of 60, portraying fur trapper Joe Gomba. In 2005, the Dreamspeakers Film Festival Society in Edmonton honoured him with a place on the Aboriginal Walk of Fame.

Herman spoke to Aboriginal youth in schools and at special events. He also turned towards political activism, seeking diplomatic solutions and bringing his voice to the debate surrounding Aboriginal treaty rights. Herman worked to better Treaty 6 communities.

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Dances with WolvesStone Calf
1992UnforgivenTrain Person #2Uncredited
1993GeronimoOld GeronimoTV movie
Medicine RiverLionel JamesTV movie
1994Blind JusticeShamanTV movie
Road to Saddle River
Warrior SpiritMukokiTV movie
1995Tecumseh: The Last WarriorCornstalkTV movie
1996Crazy HorseConquering BearTV movie
1996Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw YearsLittle WolfEpisode: Medicine
1998Gunslinger's RevengeIndian Grandfather
1999Phantom TownAttendant
In the Blue GroundJoe Gomba
Grey OwlChief Pete Misebi
2000Reindeer GamesBartender
The ClaimThird miner
2003Boys on the RunWalter Running Deer
DreamkeeperMultnomah ElderTV movie
Coyote WaitsAshie Pinto
Michel VaillantThe Indian chief
2005Hank Williams First NationUncle Martin
Little House on the PrairieOsageTV mini-series
Santa's SlayVinny
SupernaturalJoe WhitetreeEpisode: "Bugs"
2007Bury My Heart at Wounded KneeYellow BirdTV movie, (final film role)

References
  1. Jimmy Herman Biography at Filmreference.com.
  2. Klinkenberg, Marty (2013-09-10). "Dances With Wolves actor Jimmy Herman dies in Edmonton". Edmontonjournal.com. Archived from the original on 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  3. Scott, Tony (July 5, 1996). "Review: 'Crazy Horse'". Variety.
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