Geraldine Keams (born August 19, 1951) is a Diné actress. She is best known for her work in numerous television series, often playing a maternal role.[1]
Geraldine Keams | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 19, 1951 Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S. |
| Years active | 1976–present |
Biography
editKeams was born on August 19, 1951, in Flagstaff, Arizona. She was raised on the Navajo reservation then went to the University of Arizona, where she studied drama and film.
After graduating from college, Keams moved to New York City to pursue theater.[2] In New York, she wrote and performed with Hanay Geiogamah's (Kiowa/Delaware) Native American Theater Ensemble at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.[3] She adapted a Navajo creation story for the 1972 production Na Haaz Zan and also performed in Geiogamah's Body Indian.[4] The ensemble took both pieces on tour in 1972 and 1973, performing at the University of New Mexico, the College of Santa Fe, Haskell Indian Junior College, the Walker Art Center, the American Indian Center in Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution, Rough Rock Demonstration School in Chinle, Arizona, Springfield College, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Dartmouth College, and the University at Buffalo, among other places.[5]
Keams made her film debut playing Little Moonlight in Clint Eastwood's western The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976).
In 2021, she had a recurring role in the Peacock sitcom Rutherford Falls, about relationships between a fictional Native American tribe and the New England town it borders. Showrunner Sierra Teller Ornelas described Keams as "Navajo royalty", saying, "When she walked on the set, I was starstruck".[6]
In addition to her film work, Keams gives live performances and workshops. She is a resident artist at the Los Angeles Music Center. Keams currently resides in Pasadena, California.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Outlaw Josey Wales | Little Moonlight | film |
| 1977 | The Car | Donna | film |
| 1982 | Born to the Wind | Wind Woman | television series |
| 1991 | Twin Peaks | Irene Littlehorse | television series |
| 1991 | Northern Exposure | Great Aunt | television series |
| 1993 | Shadowhunter | Doctor | TV movie |
| 1996 | The Secret of Lizard Woman | Lizard Woman | television series |
| 2001 | Dharma & Greg | Meditation Leader | television series |
| 2002 | The Slaughter Rule | Gretchen Two Dogs | film |
| 2002 | Angels Don't Sleep Here | Arlene Grey Eagle | film |
| 2002 | Skinwalkers | Gina | TV movie |
| 2003 | DreamKeeper | Iktome's Wife | TV movie |
| 2003 | Edge of America | Mother Tsosie | TV movie |
| 2003 | Scrambled | Dora | film |
| 2005 | A Thousand Roads | short film | |
| 2005 | Buffalo Dreams | Abuela Rose | TV movie |
| 2008 | Comanche Moon | Hema | mini-series |
| 2010 | Pickin' and Grinnin' | Hopi Woman | film |
| 2010 | Faster | Preacher's Wife | film |
| 2012 | Arcadia | Security Guard | film |
| 2021 | Rutherford Falls | Rayanne | television series[6] |
| 2021 | Reservation Dogs | Mabel | television series |
References
edit- ^ SiJohn, Raven. "Navajo actress has last laugh on Dharma and Greg". AAA Native Arts. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
- ^ "Geri Keams » Biography – Geri Keams". gerikeams.com. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- ^ La MaMa Archives Digital Collections. "Resident Company: Native American Theatre Ensemble". Accessed April 3, 2018.
- ^ La MaMa Archives Digital Collections. "Production: 'Na Haaz Zan' and 'Body Indian' (1972)". Accessed April 3, 2018.
- ^ La MaMa Archives Digital Collections. "Tour: American Indian Theatre Ensemble US Tour (Feb-April 1973)". Accessed April 3, 2018.