The Daniel Artist

Pocahontas and The Last of the Mohicans Star Russell Means Passed Away Fourteen Years Ago Today at 72 🎬🕊️ Russell Means brought a commanding presence to the screen that made his characters immediately memorable. His breakthrough film role came as Chingachgook in The Last of the Mohicans, where his strength and gravitas became an essential part of the film’s emotional core. Animation introduced his voice to another generation when he portrayed Chief Powhatan in Disney’s Pocahontas and returned for Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. Means continued acting across film and television, appearing in Natural Born Killers, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Into the West, Banshee, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Some of his memorable roles include: • Chief Powhatan — Pocahontas / Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World • Chingachgook — The Last of the Mohicans • Billy Twofeathers — Thomas and the Magic Railroad • Old Indian — Natural Born Killers • Pathfinder — Pathfinder • Benjamin Longshadow — Banshee • Wandering Bear — Curb Your Enthusiasm • Older Running Fox — Into the West • Sitting Bull — Buffalo Girls • Arrowhead — The Pathfinder • Shaman / Chief Sentry — Turok: Son of Stone • Willie Ortiz — Tiger Eyes • Bud — Black Cloud • Washakie — Wind River • Mudjekeewis — The Song of Hiawatha Outside acting, Means was also widely known for decades of advocacy for Indigenous rights before beginning his Hollywood career in the 1990s. Russell Means was 72 when he passed away, leaving behind Chingachgook’s strength, Chief Powhatan’s commanding voice, and a screen legacy deeply connected to the characters and stories he brought to life. 🎙️🎬