Биография
When millions watch actor Duane Howard portray 'Elk Dog,' the lead native warrior in 20th Century Fox's epic film The Revenant, they may be amazed at how such a captivating actor emerged seemingly from nowhere. However, Duane did not emerge from nowhere; he came from the streets.
Duane Howard is a First Nation member born in the Nuu-chah-nulth territory ("along the mountains and sea") on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. His family left the territory when he was just 3 years old to live in the nearby town of Port Alberni. By age 14, after moving to Vancouver with his older sister following his parents' separation, Duane had already been using drugs and alcohol for four years.
From ages 14 to 18, Duane lived on the streets, facing numerous close calls. During this difficult period, he often contemplated giving up.
At 23, after 13 years of hardship, Duane decided he did not want his son to follow the same path. He stood up and left his dark past behind. Not only did he achieve sobriety, but he also completed his grade twelve education and earned a diploma in Substance Abuse Counseling in 1988. Using his experience and education, Duane worked in the tougher areas of Vancouver and communities across Canada, helping troubled youth and their families.
In the early 1990s, Duane discovered a passion for acting and sought a new direction. Starting as a background performer, he progressed to earning a stunt credit on the feature film The Scarlett Letter. His credits expanded from stunts to stunt acting, then to acting roles in TV movies like Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Goodnight for Justice: Queen of Hearts, as well as popular series such as Arctic Air. Recently, he starred in the film The Sun at Midnight, where he ironically fights to survive a bear attack.
Landing the lead native role in The Revenant was almost as miraculous as his survival on the streets. Duane had planned to take a break from acting a year before the audition for 'Elk Dog'. When his former agent informed him of the role, he returned to the industry after initially accepting a stunt position on the film. Hearing about the production’s difficulty in casting the crucial role, the stunt coordinator who hired Duane recommended him, knowing his strong acting skills. Meanwhile, Duane's agent collaborated with Canadian casting director Michelle Allen to arrange an audition. Duane was contacted on a Sunday, auditioned on Monday, and flew to Calgary on Wednesday for a private audition before three-time Oscar winner Alejandro González Iñárritu. The director immediately had him perform again in front of the entire crew. After months of searching across North America, they had found their Elk Dog. Duane secured the biggest role of his career in just four days.
Duane is straightforward in saying that everything—his childhood struggles with addiction, near-death experiences on the street, recovery, education, and training—was essential to his portrayal of 'Elk Dog' in The Revenant.
Today, Duane lives in peace and is deeply grateful for all he has, including his three children.
He also wishes to express special thanks to Canadian Casting Director Michelle Allen and his lifelong agent and friend Linda Carter for their unwavering support.
