Jimmy Herman

Who was Jimmy Herman?

Jimmy Herman was a First Nations actor who appeared in several films, including Dances with Wolves among others.

He was born on the Cold Lake Reserve in Alberta, Canada. His tribal descent was Dene Herman moved to Edmonton in 1980 to study at Grant MacEwan College's Native Communications Program. There, he received the Malcolm Calliou Award for his ambition to succeed, and to inspire other Aboriginal people to do the same. After his graduation from Grant MacEwan, he accepted employment with Native Counseling Services of Alberta as a media assistant in the media department. During this time, he did some narration work for Native Counseling Services, ACCESS radio, and the National Film Board.

A small part in a CBC Television pilot program called John Cat, based on a W. P. Kinsella book, sparked Herman’s interest in acting, and he decided to leave his position at Native Counseling Services to pursue a career in the performing arts. In April 1989, he got his big break when a Los Angeles casting agent chose him for a part in Dances With Wolves. His minor role in the movie, playing a Sioux warrior named Stone Calf, was a boost for his career, and he did not look back.