Zahn McClarnon

Early life and education

Zahn Tokiya-ku McClarnon He grew up near Browning, Montana, where his father worked at Glacier National Park for the National Park Service. He would often visit the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, where his mother grew up, and often stayed with his maternal grandparents on weekends and for longer visits. His mother lived on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. When his father was relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, for work, the family lived in the Joslyn Castle and Dundee neighborhoods. McClarnon has a brother.

McClarnon grew up in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Ohio, and Montana, and has stated that his childhood was "rough."

In 1985, McClarnon graduated from Omaha Central High School. He credits his drama teacher, Peggy Stommes, as a big influence.

Career

McClarnon got his start in a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Chanticleer Theater in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He connected with John Jackson, a local Omaha casting director who later became known for his work with director Alexander Payne. McClarnon gained some local work and in the early 1990s, he moved to Los Angeles for his career.

In the Into the West (2005) miniseries for TNT, McClarnon played Running Fox. He starred in the 2009 film Not Forgotten and comedy film Repo Chick. In 2013, he was in the horror movie Resolution. He had a recurring role as Bodaway Macawi in Ringer. He played Mike Parker in the first four episodes of the SundanceTV series The Red Road.

From 2012 to 2017, McClarnon portrayed Mathias, the Chief of Indian Tribal Police of the Cheyenne reservation, in Longmire, originally an A&E and later a Netflix television series.

McClarnon portrayed Hanzee Dent in the second season of the TV series Fargo, where his performance received critical acclaim. He appeared in the TV series Timeless as Native American U.S. Marshal Grant Johnson in the episode "The Murder of Jesse James". McClarnon appeared as Toshaway in AMC Network's The Son, for which he learned the Comanche language.

McClarnon appeared as Akecheta, the leader of the Ghost Nation, in HBO's Westworld. Although usually credited as a recurring character, McClarnon was credited as a main cast member in "Kiksuya", the eighth episode of the second season, which focuses on his character's backstory. His performance in the episode received critical acclaim, with the critic's consensus on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes stating that McClarnon delivered a "heart-wrenching, formidable performance" that elevates the episode to "one of the best of the entire series".

In 2019, McClarnon appeared as Crow Daddy, a central antagonist, in the film Doctor Sleep. Since 2021, McClarnon has portrayed Officer Big in the comedy-drama Reservation Dogs.

In 2021, it was announced that McClarnon would star as Joe Leaphorn in Dark Winds, a psychological thriller television series on AMC. It premiered on June 12, 2022 and is now going on its fourth season, which premieres February 15, 2026.

Personal life

McClarnon's first name is in honor of his maternal great-great-uncle, Frank "Francis" B. Zahn, who was an artist and Lakota elder of Standing Rock Indian Reservation. McClarnon's middle name, Tokiya-ku, loosely translates to mean "first one to come." He was given that name by his mother because he was the first delivered in a set of twins.

In late 2017, McClarnon fell at his home and suffered a brain injury, requiring hospitalization. The accident caused a brief shutdown of production for Westworld. He has since recovered.

McClarnon has discussed his struggles with substance abuse in interviews.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

References

1. (October 18, 2023). "Dark Winds review – this brooding Navajo murder mystery begs to be binged". The Guardian.
2. (July 7, 2003). "Zahn McClarnon, more than just Indian and Irish". [[Indian Country Today Media Network.
3. (December 14, 2015). "Zahn McClarnon on 'Fargo' and What Makes Hanzee Tick". [[The New York Times]].
4. (December 14, 2015). "'Fargo' Finale: Zahn McClarnon on Hanzee's Future and the Season 1 Easter Egg". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
5. (April 10, 2017). "In AMC's 'The Son,' Omaha-raised actor graduates to playing a patriarchal role". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
6. (1985). "O-Book '85".
7. (March 11, 2016). "'Fargo' actor, former Omahan is on a good run". [[Omaha World-Herald]].
8. (March 13, 2014). "Shady Character: Zahn McClarnon Discusses his 'Red Road' Role". [[Indian Country Today Media Network.
9. (March 3, 2015). "'Longmire' Was Saved by the Fans, Says Zahn McClarnon". [[Indian Country Today Media Network.
10. (December 8, 2015). "Meet Zahn McClarnon, the Man Behind the Lethal Hanzee Dent of 'Fargo'". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
11. (November 23, 2015). "'Fargo' Star Rachel Keller on Simone's Long Walk Into the Woods". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
12. (December 14, 2015). "Fargo's Zahn McClarnon on Hanzee's Backstory and the Types of Roles Native Americans Get Onscreen". [[Vulture.com.
13. (April 8, 2017). "The Son: Actor Zahn McClarnon on AMC's new series - Exclusive Interview". Assignment X.
14. "Westworld - Season 2 Episode 8".
15. [https://variety.com/2018/film/news/shining-movie-doctor-sleep-zahn-mcclarnon-crow-daddy-1202891803/ ‘Shining’ Movie ‘Doctor Sleep’ Taps ‘Westworld’s’ Zahn McClarnon to Play Crow Daddy]
16. "‘Reservation Dogs’ Star Zahn McClarnon Reflects on Series Ahead of Final Season".
17. Andreeva, Nellie. (July 9, 2021). "AMC Orders 'Dark Winds' Series From Graham Roland, George R.R. Martin & Robert Redford Based On Tony Hillerman Books; Zahn McClarnon & Kiowa Gordon Star".
18. "00900 - Photographs - Archives Holdings - Archives - State Historical Society of North Dakota: Zahn Family". [[State Historical Society of North Dakota]].
19. (October 10, 2022). "WTF episode 1373 Zahn McClarnon".
20. Stedman, Alex. (November 3, 2017). "'Westworld' Actor Zahn McClarnon Hospitalized, Season 2 Production Paused". Variety.
21. (December 11, 2020). "'Ark: The Animated Series': Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh & Elliot Page Among Voice Cast Members In New Video Game-Inspired Show".