{"id":1960466,"date":"2025-08-14T17:38:19","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=1960466"},"modified":"2025-08-14T17:38:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:38:19","slug":"qa-with-nooksack-actor-jospeh-perez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/qa-with-nooksack-actor-jospeh-perez\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&#038;A with Nooksack Actor Jospeh Perez"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"pull-none item-image\">  <\/div>\n<dl class=\"article-info muted\">\n<dt class=\"article-info-term\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDetails\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n<dd class=\"createdby\" itemprop=\"author\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Person\">\n\t\t\t\t\tBy <span itemprop=\"name\">Kaili Berg<\/span>\t<\/dd>\n<dd class=\"create\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-calendar\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-08-14T13:29:06-04:00\" itemprop=\"dateCreated\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 14, 2025\t\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<p>Joseph Perez, a U.S. Army veteran of Nooksack heritage, is making waves in Hollywood. After earning a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom XIV, Perez has shifted his focus to acting.<\/p>\n<p>Perez\u2019s latest role in the <em>Showtime<\/em> series <em>The Curse<\/em>, where he appears with Oscar-winner Emma Stone, is just the latest milestone in a growing career that includes feature films such as <em>The Keeper<\/em> and <em>Wardriver.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"custom nno-mc-in-article\">\n<div class=\"in-article-signupbox\">\n<p><strong>Never miss Indian Country\u2019s biggest stories and breaking news.<\/strong>\u00a0Sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!--End mc_embed_signup--><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>For Perez, each project is an opportunity to connect personal experience with performance, whether drawing on the camaraderie and high stakes of his military service or weaving in cultural perspectives rooted in his Nooksack identity.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The underrepresentation of Indigenous actors in Hollywood is something Perez feels personally and professionally. He sees his work as not only about landing roles but also about opening doors for others, advocating for more authentic Indigenous stories, and pushing back against the tendency to stereotype or erase Native characters altogether.<\/p>\n<p><em>Native News Online<\/em> spoke with Perez about his upbringing, military service, and path into film. He discusses breaking into the industry, challenges with Native representation, notable roles in The Curse, The Keeper, and <em>Wardriver<\/em>, his upcoming project <em>Her Monster<\/em>, and his YouTube channel supporting first-generation law students.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>[Editor&#8217;s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.]<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Can you share a bit about your upbringing and how your heritage shaped your early life?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I grew up overseas in Europe, mainly Germany, where my sister and I were the only Native American students in our school. My parents were separated, so I would spend the school year with my dad in Europe and summers with my mom in Seattle.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>My mom is from the Nooksack Tribe in the Pacific Northwest. She was a powwow dancer, as were my cousins, so I\u2019d volunteer and watch at powwows. That was where I felt truly at home, surrounded by Native and Indigenous people who were welcoming and genuine. In Europe, I didn\u2019t feel out of place, but it wasn\u2019t the same.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Later, in Seattle, I got involved with the Indian Powwow Days and an improv group called Radical Song, which combined theater with teaching about land, traditions, and crafts. It gave me a sense of community and showed me a kind of theater training I\u2019d never seen anywhere else.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did your military career intersect with your identity and advocacy?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My first Army assignment was with the 1-12 Infantry, whose mascot was the \u201cRed Warriors,\u201d complete with a stereotypical Native image. I questioned why \u201cRed Warriors\u201d was okay when \u201cWhite Warriors\u201d or \u201cBlack Warriors\u201d wouldn\u2019t be.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I was told it was fine because a Native person had once approved it, which didn\u2019t make it okay. I spoke up when I could, but as a junior officer, I was often told to stay quiet.<\/p>\n<p>I served six years, deployed four times, and often felt isolated as a Native American in the military. The constant deployments and lack of downtime eventually led me to leave. That decision allowed me to return to the arts, something impossible while overseas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you break into acting after leaving the military?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I cold-called the entire city of Denver asking for opportunities. My first gigs were hand modeling, holding cups, iPhones, and lotion bottles. I built up to lifestyle shoots, then full-body modeling, and eventually acting auditions.<\/p>\n<p>I invested over $100,000 traveling for extra roles on projects like <em>Guardians of the Galaxy<\/em> and various Hulu and Disney productions. That on-set experience taught me industry etiquette and built a network, so casting directors started contacting me directly.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>My military discipline, showing up on time, following directions, earned me reliability points that got me hired repeatedly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Did your military background influence your acting opportunities?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Definitely. I was already trained with a wide range of weapons, which is rare in the industry. At first, I didn\u2019t talk about my service, but once I did, directors started casting me for military and law enforcement roles.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why a lot of my IMDb credits are <em>Cop 2<\/em> or similar, it\u2019s typecasting, but it works, and it opens the door to negotiate for bigger roles later.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What challenges have you faced with Indigenous representation in the industry?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s less than 1% Native representation among actors and lawyers. Sometimes I\u2019ve been pressured to perform in a stereotypical \u201cNative\u201d voice or wear certain regalia, but I refuse roles that lean into stereotypes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d rather create and tell modern Indigenous stories, about a Native law student or a Native police officer, showing we exist in all walks of life today.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can you tell me about some of your recent roles, like <em>The Curse, The Keeper,<\/em> and <em>Wardriver<\/em>?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>The Curse<\/em>: I booked it last-minute, had to drive overnight from Louisiana to New Mexico, and arrived with almost no sleep. My first rehearsal was with Emma Stone. Exhaustion actually kept me from getting too starstruck.<\/p>\n<p><em>Wardriver<\/em>: Another close call, I finished shooting a commercial in Wyoming and barely made it to Utah for <em>Wardriver<\/em> with minutes to spare. I ended up in an intense one-on-one scene with\u00a0Dane DeHaan, who changed his delivery every take, forcing me to really listen and react.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>The Keeper<\/em>: This was personal, it deals with military suicide, something I\u2019ve seen firsthand. It gave me a chance to advocate for mental health and normalize therapy for veterans.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Any upcoming projects or dream roles?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m about to film <em>Her Monster<\/em> in Arizona, playing a principal. I don\u2019t usually do horror, but I\u2019m excited. I\u2019m also working on my YouTube channel, JD Ready, to guide first-generation law students, especially Indigenous students, through applying, succeeding in law school, and navigating scholarships.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What advice would you give Indigenous youth who want to pursue acting or any dream?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Start. Don\u2019t wait for permission. Use the internet, take classes, network. Cold-call if you have to.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Most people will say no, but one yes can change everything. Let the lack of representation motivate you, not discourage you. And remember, you never know who you might inspire just by going after your goals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anything else you\u2019d like to add?<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I want to help future generations the way others helped me, by laying a path for them to follow. Whether it\u2019s in acting, law, or another field, representation matters, and so does showing people that they can do it, too.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- Author Info Box Plugin for Joomla! - Kubik-Rubik Joomla! Extensions - Viktor Vogel --><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"clear:both\">More Stories Like This<\/h4>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/arts-entertainment\/q-a-with-nooksack-actor-jospeh-perez\/2025-lift-awards-honor-ten-emerging-native-artists-advancing-tradition-justice-and-storytelling\">2025 LIFT Awards Honor Ten Emerging Native Artists Advancing Tradition, Justice, and Storytelling<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/arts-entertainment\/q-a-with-nooksack-actor-jospeh-perez\/kendrie-owens-crowned-hereford-heaven-round-up-club-rodeo-queen\">Kendrie Owens Crowned Hereford Heaven Round-Up Club Rodeo Queen<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/arts-entertainment\/q-a-with-nooksack-actor-jospeh-perez\/detroit-institute-of-arts-to-host-contemporary-anishinaabe-art-a-continuation-exhibition\"> Detroit Institute of Arts to Host Contemporary &#8220;Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation&#8221; Exhibition <\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/arts-entertainment\/q-a-with-nooksack-actor-jospeh-perez\/q-a-with-native-designer-the-son-of-picasso\">Q&amp;A with Native Designer The Son of Picasso<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"customdonate_article\">\n<div>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: #ffff99;\"><strong>Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: &#8220;Cultivating Culture,&#8221; a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival\u2014food sovereignty and language revitalization.<\/p>\n<p>The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren&#8217;t just cultural preservation efforts\u2014they&#8217;re powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.<\/p>\n<p>Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We&#8217;ll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.<\/p>\n<p>This isn&#8217;t corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It&#8217;s &#8220;Warrior Journalism&#8221;\u2014fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.<\/p>\n<p><strong>We need your help right now.<\/strong> While we&#8217;ve secured partial funding, we&#8217;re still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward\u2014funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.<\/p>\n<p>Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it&#8217;s $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don&#8217;t disappear into silence.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/images\/2022\/Levi-headshot.jpg\" alt=\"Levi headshot\" width=\"127\" height=\"127\" style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\"\/><\/strong><em\/>The stakes couldn&#8217;t be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.<\/p>\n<p><em>Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor &amp; Publisher<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/giving\/campaigns?campaign_id=REMMBSEZXP7QN\" width=\"382\" height=\"550\" title=\"PayPal donate campaign card\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"author_infobox\">\n<p>About The Author<\/p>\n<div class=\"author_infobox_image_profile\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/images\/Headshots\/68475777_2308218075894267_1708832779724128256_n.jpg\" alt=\"Kaili Berg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"author_infobox_name\"><span class=\"bold\">Author:<\/span> <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nativenewsonline.net\/staff-directory\/kaili-berg\" title=\"Kaili Berg\">Kaili Berg<\/a><span class=\"bold marginleft\">Email:<\/span> <span id=\"cloak4a31f0e1ba267577b2c1a1dc52f02b73\">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.<\/span><\/div>\n<p>Staff Reporter<\/p>\n<p>Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br class=\"clear\"\/>    <\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;\nn.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,\ndocument,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\nfbq('init', '6281125331913536', {}, {agent: 'pljoomla'});\nfbq('track', 'PageView');\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source nativenewsonline.net \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Details By Kaili Berg August 14, 2025 Joseph Perez, a U.S. Army veteran of Nooksack heritage, is making waves in Hollywood. After earning a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom XIV, Perez has shifted his focus to acting. Perez\u2019s latest role in the Showtime series The Curse, where he appears [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1960467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1960466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/QA-with-Nooksack-Actor-Jospeh-Perez.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1960466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1960466"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1960466\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1960467"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1960466"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1960466"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1960466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}