ADAM BEACH (Ben Yahzee) may be best known for his critically-acclaimed portrayal of Victor Joseph in Smoke Signals, which won the Filmmaker's Trophy Award and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Adam is currently in Arizona shooting the drama Skin Walkers for PBS; Robert Redford's Wildwood and Grenada USA are producing the film.
Next up, Adam will be seen in the indie film The Big Empty starring alongside Jon Favreau, Rachel Leigh Cook, Darryl Hannah and Kelsey Grammer. He'll also be seen in Posers for director Katie Talio. Recently Adam also completed starring roles in the indie films Last Stop for director Mark Malone and Now and Forever opposite Mia Kirshner. He was also seen in The Art of Woo, an indie feature recently shown at the Toronto Film Festival.
Adam was born in Manitoba, Canada, and began acting in Winnipeg when he was a teenager. At he age of 16, he was introduced to an extras casting director and the meeting landed him a spot in the film Lost in the Barrens playing Graham Greene's canoe mate. Adam spent the next four years in the theatrical world of Manitoba small theatre. Maintaining a profile in film and television during this time, he then landed a role in the made-for-TV movie Spirit Rider. This breakthrough was quickly followed by Cadillac Girls starring Gregory Harrison, as well as a recurring role on the CBC production North of 60.
It wasn't long before Adam was cast as the lead in Squanto, A Warrior's Tale opposite Mandy Patinkin. It was Canada's own Bruce McDonald, however, that finally recognized Adam's true potential and penchant for the absurd, casting him as Frank Fencepost in the screen adaptation of W.P. Kinsella's Dance Me Outside. This film garnered him critical acclaim both in Canada and the United States, and landed him a Best Actor award from the American Indian Film Festival.
Adam's award-winning performance launched him into the TV serial fray working on episodes of Lonesome Dove, Touched By An Angel, Walker, Texas Ranger, Madison, Dead Man's Gun, a co-starring role as Charlie in CBC's The Rez, and guest-starring on First Wave. Adams' features include My Indian Summer (Best Actor In A Feature Film by 1st Americans In The Arts), A Boy Called Hate, The Adventures of Joe Dirt opposite David Spade, and Mystery, Alaska.
Adam's work is strongly rooted in his Native heritage, bringing a unique and diverse perspective to his craft. His commitment to his spiritual development through traditional grass dancing enhances his work. Adam spends his spare time playing hockey and generously donating his voice and enthusiasm in support of Native Youth. He also sings and plays guitar in his own band he leads, Jesus Murphy.
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