Moses J. Brings Plenty
Biography
Moses J. Brings Plenty, born on September 4, 1969, is an Oglala Lakota television, film, and stage actor, as well as a traditional drummer and singer. He is widely recognized for his notable role as "Mo" in the Paramount Network series Yellowstone. Brings Plenty's life and career are a testament to his commitment to representing Native peoples and their cultures accurately in mass media.
Moses Brings Plenty was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and hails from a family with a rich heritage. He is a direct descendant of Brings Plenty, an Oglala Lakota warrior who fought in the historic Battle of Little Big Horn. Brings Plenty is married to Sara Ann Haney-Brings Plenty.
Brings Plenty's acting career has spanned various film and television productions. He has appeared in films such as Hidalgo, Thunderheart, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Cowboys & Aliens. Notably, he portrayed Quanah Parker in the History Channel documentary Comanche Warrior and Crazy Horse in The History Channel's Investigating History documentary "Who Killed Crazy Horse" and the BBC documentary series The Wild West. Brings Plenty has also been involved in Rez Bomb, a groundbreaking movie with a universal storyline set on a reservation, which has garnered attention on the international film festival circuit.
In addition to his acting work, Brings Plenty is deeply invested in promoting accurate representations of Native peoples in the media. He has taken on the role of Taylor Sheridan's American Indian Affairs Coordinator for the Paramount series Yellowstone and its spin-off prequels 1883 and 1923. In this capacity, Brings Plenty works behind the scenes to ensure that Native cultures and languages are authentically portrayed.
Music, dance, and modeling are additional areas where Brings Plenty has made an impact. He has modeled for prominent brands such as Ed Hardy and John Yaeger. Brings Plenty is also an accomplished drummer and has played for the band Brulé, which combines traditional Native American drums and flute with contemporary musical instruments. Furthermore, he is involved with the Many Moccasins Dance Troupe, based in Winnebago, Nebraska, where modern Native American dance is blended with powwow dances. Brings Plenty's performances have contributed to charitable events like Project Lighthouse, which provides clothing and bedding to northern Indian reservations.
Throughout his career, Moses Brings Plenty has appeared in various television shows, showcasing his talent and commitment to Native representation. He was featured as one of the experts testing and displaying the weapons and tactics used by Oglala Lakota war leader Crazy Horse in an episode of the third season of Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior. He also made appearances in AMC's Hell on Wheels, as well as the 2020 historical drama miniseries The Good Lord Bird. However, it is his role as Mo in the popular series Yellowstone that has solidified his presence in the industry. Brings Plenty's character has evolved over the seasons, leading to him becoming a series regular in the fifth season. Additionally, he serves as the show's Native affairs coordinator, ensuring the accurate representation of Native languages and cultures.
Moses J. Brings Plenty's dedication to promoting accurate portrayals of Native peoples and his multifaceted talents as an actor, drummer, and singer have made him a respected figure in the entertainment industry. Through his work, he strives to provide Indigenous youth with positive role models and representations of their cultures, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on Native cinema and beyond.