Michael Greyeyes
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Michael Greyeyes

Michael Greyeyes is an acclaimed First Nations (Muskeg Lake Cree Nation) actor, dancer, choreographer, director, and educator from Saskatchewan, Canada, born on June 4, 1967. His multifaceted career spans nearly 30 years in film, television, and theatre, and he is a powerful voice for Indigenous representation in the arts.Greyeyes began his artistic journey as a dancer, becoming the first Indigenous boy to graduate from Canada's National Ballet School in 1984. He then joined The National Ballet of Canada as a Corps de Ballet member before moving to New York City in 1990 to perform with modern dance choreographer Eliot Feld. After years of dancing and acting, he furthered his education, earning a master's degree in Fine Arts from Kent State University in 2003.His transition to acting began in 1993 with the TV movie "Geronimo," which quickly led to numerous roles. Greyeyes is widely recognized for his powerful portrayals of historical Indigenous figures, including Crazy Horse in the 1996 television film "Crazy Horse" and the iconic Hunkpapa spiritual leader Sitting Bull in the critically acclaimed 2017 film "Woman Walks Ahead," co-starring Jessica Chastain. He has appeared in major films like "300," "Firestarter" (2022), "Chaos Walking," "Moonfall," and the recent "40 Acres" (2025), where he plays the character Galen.On television, Greyeyes has an extensive list of credits, with notable roles in series such as "Fear the Walking Dead" (as Qaletaqa Walker), "True Detective," "I Know This Much Is True," and a main role in the Peacock sitcom "Rutherford Falls" (2021-2022). He also had a recurring role in the first season of the Paramount+ western series "1923." His performance in the zombie film "Blood Quantum" earned him the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor in 2021.Beyond acting, Greyeyes is also a respected director and educator. He founded Signal Theatre, a Canadian theatre company dedicated to intercultural and transdisciplinary performance. He directed and choreographed "Pimooteewin," the first Cree-language opera, and has served as an Associate Professor of Theatre at York University. His work, both on and off screen, consistently explores and elevates Indigenous stories and experiences.

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