"You know Adam Beach. From Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers." From John Woo's "Windtalkers." From "Smoke Signals." And soon from "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee." So isn't he fearful of getting typed in Native American roles?
"No. I don't want to stay away from Indian roles. I want always to show Indians are a part of all stages of society. Like everyone else they're actors, doctors, lawyers, carpenters, hockey players. It is my responsibility to expose the fact that we are like everyone else. If not for me, maybe nobody would believe an Indian could make it to this level of success."
A far cry from the reservation, this movie star lives with his wife and family in New Jersey because "I signed onto 'Law & Order' for three years and we live 10 minutes from the studio." So was his upbringing much different from our own?
"I was very free. My mom opened the door, and I'd run and come home when I was hungry. No pressures about having to be a doctor or lawyer or anything. They just wanted you to hunt. Then, get a job. Maybe in a garage fixing cars. We had a bungalow, nothing too big or small. Our school only went to grade six, five kids per class. I went to grade four.
"And I am thankful for what has happened to me. My children and I did a prayer today where we smudged the place we're living in with feathers. It's a prayer of gratitude.""
Get the Story:PROUD OF HERITAGE, SUCCESS (The New York Post 5/21) Relevant Links:
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, HBO - http://www.hbo.com/films/burymyheart
Adam Beach, official message board - http://www.adam-beach.com/beach_talk Related Stories:
Adam Beach gives 'stirring performance' on HBO (5/15)
Adam Beach has three year Law & Order contract (5/10)
HBO movie adds mixed-race character to cast (5/9)
Column: Adam Beach committed to his people (4/2)
Adam Beach has 'special' role in Law and Order (02/20)
Time: Adam Beach on Native roles in Hollywood (2/5)
Variety: Adam Beach to join Law & Order cast (1/26)
Memories of Ira Hayes fade among Gila River (10/27)
Review: Flags with Adam Beach one of best movies (10/20)
Adam Beach wins 'Rising Star' award for 'Flags' role (10/17)
Adam Beach praised for portrayal of Ira Hayes (10/10)
Adam Beach plays Ira Hayes in 'Flags of Our Fathers' (10/6)
HBO casts for 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee' (09/12)
Native Threads clothing expands to Canada (02/28)
Movie Review: Adam Beach in 'Now and Forever' (08/19)
