Not a fighter

At only 25 years old, Tatanka Means has experienced quite a bit in his young life. So far, he's been a boxer, bull rider, horseback rider, actor, comedian, motivational speaker, model and grass dancer.

"Those are things that I've done," he said in a Dec. 18 interview backstage at a 49 Laughs Comedy Show. "I don't ride bulls anymore or box. I've been doing comedy, which I love doing now with Pax Harvey, James Junes and Ernie Tsosie III, and Adrienne Chalapah now."

Means took on stand-up comedy in full stride along with Harvey, Junes, Tsosie and Chalapah as part of the "49 Laughs Comedy: Laugh Now, Cry Later Tour."

The tour began in February 2010 and is still going strong into 2011. Currently, Means has his eye set on making his mark in the movie industry.

"I do the acting whenever I can," he said. "I'm always auditioning and trying to get in with a role. So I do the comedy, acting and do some speaking, motivational speaking when I can.

"I went up to Virginia Tech a couple of weeks ago," he said. "I went to the Fort Riley Army Base in Kansas and did a couple of speeches. Pax, Ernie and I did one in Rock Point, motivational speaking for bullying, drugs and alcohol, suicide prevention. It was a really good show."

In addition to being a comedian on the 49 Laugh Comedy team, he also does show production and booking, like the other comedians.

"49 Laughs has been pumping shows left and right and with us producing shows, it's going strong," he said. "We're getting calls to do shows and it seems like the casinos are really picking up on it and I'm glad to be a part of it."

Comedy and public engagements have not slowed him down from acting at all. He landed the lead role in a movie called "Tiger Eyes." The movie is based on a book written by author Judy Blume with the same title.

The book is about a teenager named Davey, who is dealing with the death of her father.

In the movie, Davey's family sends her to New Mexico from the Atlantic City to help her cope with her emotional loss. It is in Los Alamos that she meets Wolf-Martin Ortiz, played by Means, who helps her recover from the personal tragedy.

Means has concentrated on acting since 2005 when he was a double stuntman for Rick Schroeder's "Black Cloud" which was filmed on the Navajo Nation and surrounding area.

"I've been doing this for five years, since 2005," he said. "I started off doing stuntwork in my hometown Chinle, doubling up for Black Cloud. It's funny because it took place in my own gym, my own boxing gym in Chinle. I was thinking, 'Man, I could've played this character.'

"The role went to a non-Navajo. It was like, 'Dang, bummer,'" he chuckled. "My dad (Russell Means) was in there playing a coach. It's been going good with acting. It's a hard business. There's so much competition and it's hard to get your foot into the door and actually get some good roles."

Although his father is well known for his political activism with the American Indian Movement and notable acting roles, Means does not use his father's fame to land acting jobs.

"I don't use his notoriety to get acting roles," he said. "It's fun when you're auditioning. You're auditioning constantly. There are thousands of auditions and if you get one then it's based on your talent and it's your talent that gets you in the door.

"I'm not saying I have it," he laughed. "I totally don't."

Means has had roles in other films like "The Burrowers," and on USA Network's "In Plain Sight" where he played a boxer. He also was in "Scoundrels" that starred actress Virginia Madsen. In that movie, Means played the role of a low down thief.

As a comedian Means definitely knows how to get the audience roaring with his own style of humor. You can catch Means on 49 Laughs or you can visit his website at www.tatankameans.com to find the latest news on his roles and appearances. He also has a clothing line at www.tatankaclothing.com.

Back to top ^