With major productions like “Landman,” “Yellowstone,” “Reservation Dogs” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” there has been a greater need for Indigenous actors and background actors. Choctaws are seizing that opportunity and appearing in television productions, movies and commercials.
Biskinik spoke with several of these actors, who shared how they got started and offered advice for anyone interested in getting involved. Below are some of their stories.
Mike Simpson
Mike Simpson grew up in Hugo and is a tribal elder who spent his early years working as a coach and salesman.
Simpson became heavily involved in background acting after the COVID-19 pandemic, when he appeared in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
From there, he learned about Legacy Casting, Freihofer Casting, Buffalo Casting and a company in Atlanta. He now responds to their casting calls. He has appeared in about 20 commercials, television series and movies.
Simpson enjoys helping others get into the business and has helped 23 others get into a shoot for “Yellowstone.” Simpson believes that his connections and friendliness helped him land a front-and-center scene with lead Kevin Costner.
Simpson said he gets paid more for commercials than for television and movies. He has appeared in commercials for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for the Choctaw Nation.
He prefers working in movies. “The movies are more fun,” Simpson said.
Simpson has worked on 20+ productions, like “Yellowstone”, “Lawmen: Bass Reeves”, “Echo”, ”Landman”, “1883”, “1923”, “Tulsa King”, “Reservation Dogs” and “Sarah’s Oil.”
He has worked with Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Kevin Costner, Tim McGraw, Sam Elliott, Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, Kyle Chandler, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Taylor Sheridan, Gil Birmingham, Moses Brings Plenty, David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid.
Though he might be considered a tribal “elder” Simpson has chosen not to slow down in this era of his life. He hasn’t retired and doesn’t intend to. He hopes that he and other Native actors and background actors will leave behind a legacy.
“Many times, we background [actors] are nothing but a blur,” said Simpson. “But the movie wouldn’t be a movie without us.”
Monica Brittingham
Monica Brittingham has lived in Boswell her entire life. Her grandmother was a Choctaw tribal councilperson and her grandfather was a preacher at a Choctaw church.
According to Brittingham, her hobby of appearing in commercials and on television basically fell into her lap.
In 2010, Brittingham was asked to be a presenter at the Drum Awards ceremony. She met Wes Studi and Elaine Miles, and the black-tie event gave her a taste of what being an actor could be like.
When “Yellowstone” filmed in Texas, she saw a notice that Native American background actors were needed. She submitted her photos and was chosen.
Since then, she has received great feedback when applying for other background acting jobs. She also appeared in “Landman” and has been in multiple commercials for the Choctaw Nation.
According to Brittingham, she follows casting companies on social media to learn of new opportunities.
When she was cast for “Yellowstone,” she didn’t even know it was a paying job. Brittingham says she went because Kevin Costner was in the production, as she had been a fan of his for years.
“The pay was nothing to write home about,” she said. “For background people, I think it’s just to get your name out there, or for me to see the stars.”
The scene she appeared in took 12 hours to shoot, and it was very cold outside, though the shot was supposed to be for warm weather, so no winter wear was allowed. She said it was the longest day ever, and when the director yelled cut after Costner’s last line, everyone in the crowd shouted with relief that it was over.
Her latest job was for “Landman.” She said the company came to Durant, had a contract with the Choctaw Travel Plaza and Billy Bob Thornton was there. They also filmed scenes at the Choctaw Casino.
She has also appeared in “Yellowstone,” “Bass Reeves” and multiple commercials, mostly for the Choctaw casinos and one for the Choctaw Cultural Center. She has also appeared with football player Emmitt Smith and baseball’s Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.
Her favorite part of acting is shooting commercials. She said it is usually an all-day job, typically eight to 12 hours.
Brittingham said she plans to continue because she is having a good time.
“As long as I get emails, I’m always going to apply,” said Brittingham. “Because it is fun and a little extra money to put in my savings account to fly my son home.”
Dr. Deana Ward
Dr. Deana Ward is a psychological technician, beadwork artist, mother, grandmother and aspiring screenplay writer. In her spare time, she acts in commercials, television and movies.
Her first acting job was a commercial for the Choctaw Nation. She said a call went out requesting applications, and she responded.
The next opportunities were for Disney’s “Echo” and a Kia commercial. Kia was spotlighting Native American Month and different Native artists throughout the U.S. She said it went nationwide on Kia’s social media. She also appeared in “Landman.”
Ward and her son, Hiloha, were asked to be a part of “Echo” by the Choctaw Language Department, which consulted on the film.
“That was kind of like rock-star treatment,” said Ward. “Everything was paid. Transportation was like a Mercedes-Benz. They chauffeured us to the airport, got us rental cars, it was really lux.”
According to Ward, this isn’t the typical background actor experience, which is usually at your own expense.
“They pay you, but it’s really minimal,” Ward said. “It’s like $150 to be a background player for eight hours of work.”
A special memory of “Echo” was teaching actress Tantoo Cardinal how to make Choctaw diamonds for a scene.
According to Ward, Cardinal remembers her [Ward] to this day and visits with her at Ward’s artistry booth at the Santa Fe Indian Market when she attends.
Following “Echo,” a red-carpet gala was held at the Choctaw Cultural Center, and Ward and her son attended.
“It just felt like the cherry on top,” said Ward.
She prefers working on movies, and her favorite place to shoot is her hometown. As far as a sense of adventure, that was the appearance in “Echo.”
“It felt like I was going somewhere,” said Ward. “I felt like I was a star and part of something big.”
Her advice is to apply, because the worst they can say is no. Ward encourages those interested to get on the sites, wait for the calls, and send in a resume and photos.
Ward said there are things you won’t know until you get there, but remember to treat every opportunity like a learning experience and expand on it.
“I’m going to keep going. I’ve said this about everything I have ever done,” said Ward. “If it’s fun, I’m going to keep doing it.”
Jula Harjo
Jula Harjo grew up in Idabel. She is a model, singer and beadwork artist.
In 2022, Sterlin Harjo personally asked her to appear in “Reservation Dogs,” where she played a hospice nurse.
According to Jula, Sterlin called her one of his favorite hymn singers in an interview.
“That did something to me. That made me feel so good about myself,” she said.
Following “Reservation Dogs,” Harjo traveled to Georgia to appear in Marvel’s “Echo.”
Since then, she has been involved in multiple fashion shoots, including one of the most well-known, SWAIA. She has had opportunities to walk for Jamie Okuma, whose work is featured in the Smithsonian, and Dr. Jessica Moore Harjo, whose line is Weomepe.
She has been in several short films, including “Siren of the Wood,” “Trail of Tears: The Hymn,” “War Angels: Ho’nehe” and “Hunger.” She had to learn Native languages for each role, which she called “both challenging and deeply rewarding.”
Her advice to others who want to be extras in commercials, movies and television is to be consistent.
“Be consistent and don’t be afraid to start small. Sign up with casting agencies, keep updated photos of yourself and always show up on time and ready to work,” Jula said. “Background acting isn’t always glamorous, but it’s an incredible way to learn how sets operate and to build confidence.”
She encourages actors to be respectful to those around them, from other extras to production hands, because relationships matter in the industry.
Most importantly, she advises being proud of who you are and where you come from and not to pretend to be someone you aren’t.
“Our identities and stories are needed in these spaces,” said Jula. “There’s no one better at being yourself than you.”
Jula does what she does for her family, her community and her culture.
“It’s a blessing to represent in a space where we haven’t always been visible,” said Jula. “Even if I’m in the background, I know I’m part of a larger story, and that’s something I carry with a lot of pride.”
She said she finds it comforting that her daughter will grow up in a world where seeing Native Americans on television and in film is normal and commonplace.
“If it weren’t for my ancestors being so strong-willed and strong all around, I wouldn’t be here doing this.”
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma frequently casts for a variety of video, photography and marketing projects and encourages tribal members to apply.
From commercials and cultural features to educational and digital content, the nation is building an on-camera presence that reflects the strength and diversity of the Choctaw people.
Choctaw Nation has created a talent database where Choctaw actors, families, elders, youth and anyone interested in appearing in future productions can submit their information. No experience is required, just a willingness to participate and represent the Tribe with pride. Tribal members can sign up at talent.choctawnation.com and complete a profile.
Joining the database ensures consideration for upcoming shoots and provides a chance to be part of projects that share Choctaw stories with a wider audience.
The Choctaw Nation also posts casting opportunities on its official social media accounts and website. To stay up to date on casting and other Choctaw Nation announcements, visit choctawnation.com and follow the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma on major social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.