Sam Bearpaw, 68, is a proud Indigenous actor who didn’t seek out a career in acting; it just happened. Sam moved with his family from an Arizona ranch to Montebello, near Los Angeles, when he was a young boy. He is of Chiricahua and Mimbreño Apache descent on his father’s side and White Mountain Apache on his mother’s side. He said he was a typical kid and felt like he fit in because in those days, everyone had long hair, even guys, and he identified with the peace movement and flower power generation.
It was around 2003 when one of his friends got a part acting in a series for the History Channel called Wild West Tech, hosted by David & Keith Carradine. The friend encouraged him to try out too. Bearpaw believes he got the part because he had what he calls “the look.” His strong Native American features and flowing long hair were what they were looking for.
The series did not focus on stereotypes about Native American people. Instead, it showed how technology had shaped life in the Old West. This became important to Bearpaw as he began receiving more calls from casting directors seeking Native American actors. “I’m a really strong proponent of Indigenous entertainment, and as we stand at the forefront of Indigenous entertainment today, we need to produce and use our narrative, our story, where we tell the truth and where we don’t doctor it up.”
Bearpaw has appeared in commercials, music videos, documentaries, and film. He has a long list of film credits, including Last Train to Fortune (2025), Dead Man’s Hand (2023), Yellow Rock (2011), and many more. He also helps cast other Native Americans who are looking to get into acting, too. “I have to be sure that everything is culturally correct,” he adds. “If they are going to be playing LaKota people, then we are going to have LaKota people there. And if we are going to have an Apache, then we need to have an Apache speaking the Apache language, the way it’s supposed to be.”
Aside from acting, Bearpaw is also a champion powwow dancer. He’s performed and competed all over the United States. “We have to keep sharing the knowledge and telling the stories,” he said. Bearpaw said he’s concerned that too many people don’t know the true history of the Native American people in this country. He hopes to change that.
His other passion is riding his bike in nature. Last year, Bearpaw spearheaded a benefit as World National Officer and Spiritual Leader of the Red Rum First Nations Motorcycle Club. They helped raise $800,000 for Native American student scholarships through the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, benefiting young entrepreneurs.
Fans can see Bearpaw in his upcoming role on the Discovery Channel’s Expedition Files. In this role, he’s playing an Indigenous person from Finland.
Sam Bearpaw now resides in San Marcos, CA.
Photo: Sam Bearpaw dancing, by Guido Frazzini
