William Joseph Elk III

William Joseph Elk III, a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla, is a multifaceted artist with roots in both business and theatre. He holds degrees from Portland State University in Business Administration and Theatre Arts. Initially, he set aside his business studies to immerse himself in acting and playwriting, honing his craft for two years. This dedication led to a significant role in Sherman Alexie's acclaimed work, "The Business of Fancy Dancing."

While residing in Portland, William made his mark in various film projects, including "Ricochet River," "The Northwest Passage," "The Hunted," "What the Bleep Do We Know," "Littlefoot," and the TNT/DreamWorks miniseries "Into the West." His television credits feature appearances in "State Police," the BBC documentary "The Woolly Mammoth," and "Final Justice," as well as a role in "Highway Patrol."

More recently, William starred in the Hallmark film "Valley of Light" and the horror flick "Last Stand." His journey into the entertainment industry began unexpectedly when he was spotted performing traditional Round Bustle dancing at the Pi-Umpsha Pow Wow in Warm Springs, Oregon. Shortly after, he worked alongside Kate Hudson as a body double in "Ricochet River," propelling him further into his artistic career. Now based in Los Angeles, William continues to pursue his passion for the arts with vigor.