When I talked to actor Chaske Spencer, I was impressed; he’s unassuming, listens and responds to each question thoughtfully, and is enthusiastic and articulate. He is also a Guns n’ Roses fan. Let me reword this—a   Guns n’ Roses freak—and has been since he was a heavy metal drummer in high school. 

…Not that there’s anything wrong with being a Guns n’ Roses freak. Honest. But when you’re unassuming, thoughtful, enthusiastic and articulate; the type of young man any mom  would love their daughter to bring home, well, that isn’t exactly in the "program."

But then again, the “program” is not something Chaske (pronounced Chas-K)  tends to follow anyway, not in his life, not in his career… 

He was a college freshman, midway through his first semester, when he bought a one-way plane ticket to New York City and never looked back. With a hundred bucks in his pocket and more moxie than sense, this Lakota kid who had grown up on reservations and small towns in Montana and Idaho was determined to make it as an actor on the toughest stage of them all.  

Years later, he reflects. “I was really desperate. I didn’t want to be a teacher, even though I had considered it because both my parents were. I’d thought about being a photographer; really, I just didn’t know what  I wanted. Luckily, I was young and dumb. Why else would I have come to New York like that with a hundred bucks to my name?” 

Like the old cliché, Chaske quickly found a job waiting tables and bartending.  Then he got serious about his passion to become an actor. He started reading everything he could find; observing people in the cafes and bars where he worked—their mannerisms, reactions, and dialects. He watched, learned, and nearly a year later, landed his first acting job.  

“I got the lead as Dracula in an off, off, off Broadway play. Man, that was fun, but God I was horrible.  I was bad,” he laughs. “I didn’t know what I was doing, but I sure had passion. I remember the review in the Village Voice  where they described me as the ‘self-doubting Chaske Spencer.’ I was crushed.” 

But he didn’t give up; Chaske, whose name means “first-born son” in Lakota, kept performing theatre in off, off, off Broadway productions and assumed the responsibility inherent in his name. His talent was getting noticed by some of the top acting schools in New York.  “I got accepted into a class taught by David Gideon (former director of the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and member of the Actor’s Studio.)  That class influenced and taught me so much about the craft of acting.” 

Six years ago he was cast in his first film role, as young Rudy Yellowlodge in Skins.  Though his part was small, the experience was huge. Characteristically, Chaske is humble about his rookie effort. 

“There was one scene, which ended up being cut out, where Nathaniel (Arcand), me and Gil (Birmingham) are at the dinner table. I had a few lines. I was being way over dramatic; I was giving way too much, like I was on stage. I really had to tone it down.” 

Despite his self-criticism, this novice’s professionalism left a favorable impression on his more experienced co-star. "What impressed me working with Chaske was that he didn't screw up his lines and he didn't step on my lines…kudo's my friend…kudo's,” Nathaniel Arcand laughs.  “His good spirit and good workmanship impressed me too. Keep it up BRO!!” 

His role in Skins  quickly led to a much bigger opportunity. Hallmark Entertainment was developing an ABC miniseries based on American Indian legends. Dreamkeeper,  with an all-star Native cast and written by John Fusco (Hidalgo, Young Guns)  was looking for an actor to play the lead role of Eagle Boy. They found him in Chaske Spencer.

Since then, he’s been cast in Spielberg’s 2005 miniseries, Into  the West, and is auditioning  for roles that aren’t necessarily Native specific. 

Once again, going against the "program"…  

“I’m proud of being Native American, but I want to be able to other things,” he says. “For that reason, I’m looking to break out of just being considered for Native roles, such as going for those roles for a character named “Tom” who isn’t of any particular background.” 

Without a doubt, that’s the tougher road to plow, but he’s comfortable with his choices and confident in his ability to break through. That perseverance—the determination to go against the expected path, is something Chaske credits his parents for. 

“My real heroes are my father and my mother. They’ve always said, ‘don’t let anything stop you because you’re Indian.’ They’ve ingrained that into my sisters and my head. As Native actors, we got to be on our game. You can be stereotyped—with eagles screaming, people expecting you to know which way the wind blows, or that you’re spiritual. Not all of us can do that, you know…” 

Maybe not. But Chaske Spencer can do one thing tremendously well. He takes the art of acting very seriously; a fact that keeps landing him on the short list at casting calls. Quite simply, his dedication has earned him the distinction of being one of the best young Native actors working today.

“If you want to be good at it, you have to work and work and work at it. It can be very painful; you’re constantly opening yourself up to people. It’s got to say something if you’re willing to put on makeup and jump around and pretend to be other people. It’s not the sanest thing in the world to do.” 

Oh, but no worries. This unassuming, thoughtful, enthusiastic and articulate young man is hardly crazy. Then again…he is a diehard fan of Axl Rose.