D'Pharaoh Miskwaatez McKay Woon-A-Tai (born 19 September 2001) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his role as Bear Smallhill in the FX on Hulu comedy-drama series Reservation Dogs (2021).[1][2]
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai | |
|---|---|
| ᐊᓂᐦᔑᓂᓐ ᒪᐦᑳᔾ | |
| Born | D'Pharaoh Miskwaatez McKay Woon-A-Tai (2001-09-19) 19 September 2001 (age 21) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Other names | D'Pharaoh McKay |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Family | Frank Woon-A-Tai (maternal grandfather) |
Woon-A-Tai and his fraternal twin Mi’De Xxavier were born in Toronto. Born D'Pharaoh Miskwaatez Loescher McKay (Mahkaai) Woon-A-Tai, his names reflect his Oji-Cree Anishinaabe, Chinese-Guyanese, and German heritage.[3] A black belt in Shotokan karate, he is the grandson of the notable Shotokan instructor Frank Woon-A-Tai. His paternal grandfather is Dr. Alex McKay, who was the Anishinaabemowin language professor and an integral part of the Indigenous Studies department at the University of Toronto.[4]
Woon-A-Tai alongside three (of what would eventually become five) siblings grew up in the Esplanade neighbourhood of Toronto and visited their paternal family in the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation at the weekends. He attended Nelson Mandela Park Public School.[3]
Woon-A-Tai began his career with a recurring role as Chase Whaley in season 1 of the 2018 Family Channel series Holly Hobbie. In 2019, Woon-A-Tai played Tom Longboat in a two-episode arc of Murdoch Mysteries season 12. He made guest appearances as Lucky in Creeped Out and Mikey in Tribal.
Woon-A-Tai made his feature film debut as Hank in the film Beans directed by Tracey Deer, which became an official TIFF 2020 selection and won Best Motion Picture at the Canadian Screen Awards.[5]
In December 2020, it was announced Woon-A-Tai would star as Bear Smallhill in the 2021 FX on Hulu comedy-drama Reservation Dogs, "a slice-of-life triumph" from Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi.[2] Set and filmed in rural Oklahoma, Reservation Dogs is a coming-of-age story that follows the antics of rebellious teenagers living on tribal land. The series' cast and crew are made up entirely of Indigenous people. The Denver Gazette described Bear as "played spectacularly by D’Pharaoh, this series' breakout star."[6]
Reservation Dogs was renewed for a second season which premiered on August 3, 2022.[7]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Wenonah | Luc | Short film |
| 2020 | Beans | Hank | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Holly Hobbie | Chase Whaley | Recurring role |
| 2019 | Murdoch Mysteries | Tom Longboat | Recurring role |
| 2019 | Creeped Out | Lucky | Episode: "The Takedown" |
| 2020 | Tribal | Mikey | Episode: "Runs with a Gun" |
| 2021-present | Reservation Dogs | Bear Smallhill | Main role |