Zahn McClarnon

Zahn Tokiya-ku McClarnon is a revered Native American actor, recognizable for his performances in the Western crime drama series Longmire, the second season of Fargo, and the second season of Westworld. He gained considerable prominence in 2022, playing the protagonist Joe Leaphorn in the AMC series Dark Winds. McClarnon also features in the FX on Hulu series Reservation Dogs and contributes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe series as part of Hawkeye (2021) and Echo (2024). Born in Denver, Colorado, McClarnon grew up with Hunkpapa Lakota and Irish roots in numerous locations including Nebraska, Montana, and Ohio. His early life was described as 'rough,' leading him to graduate from Omaha Central High School in 1985. His acting career started in a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Chanticleer Theater, which led to roles in various series and films, earning him critical acclaim.

In the 2005 miniseries Into the West for TNT, McClarnon played Running Fox, continuing on to star in the 2009 film Not Forgotten and comedy film Repo Chick. He appeared in the SundanceTV series The Red Road, and from 2012 - 2017, McClarnon captivatingly portrayed Mathias in the popular Longmire series. One of his most notable roles was as Hanzee Dent in Fargo, where he received widespread praise for his performance. In HBO's Westworld, McClarnon played the impactful role of Akecheta, noted for a 'heart-wrenching, formidable performance.' He played a central antagonist in 2019's Doctor Sleep and since 2021, McClarnon has portrayed Officer Big in the comedy-drama Reservation Dogs. Outside his career, McClarnon has publicly discussed his struggles with substance abuse and recovery.