Actor Gil Birmingham Honored by Quileute Nation for "Telling of the Legends" in Twilight Saga: Eclipse
La Push, WA, July 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- In honor of actor Gil Birmingham’s portrayal of tribal chairman Billy Black and his telling of the legends of the Quileute tribe in the block-buster film Twilight Saga Eclipse, the Quileute Nation invited him to participate in Quileute Days, Saturday, July 16 at the Akalat Center Grounds. Quileute Days includes traditional tribal games, softball games, a parade, vendors and more.
"We were delighted to welcome Gil to La Push and Quileute Days," tribal spokeswoman Jackie Jacobs said. "It was an honor to have him join us in this very special celebration of Quileute culture and traditions. How wonderful to have Gil Birmingham, who portrays Council Chairman Billy Black in ‘Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ meet the true Chairwoman Anna Rose Councell-Geyer and the other members of the Quileute Tribal Council.”
On Saturday, Birmingham participated in the festival parade, an autograph session, and made a guest appearance at the Talent Showcase.
“I am truly honored to have been invited to the Quileute Nation as they celebrate their culture and traditions,” said Gil Birmingham (Comanche) from his home in Los Angeles, CA. “In the three Twilight Saga films, I attempted to portray Billy Black and Quileute tribal members with honor and respect. The entire premise of the Twilight books and movies is based on Quileute tribal legends which are deeply rooted in the ancient cultural traditions. It was important to me that the legends, as well as an honest portrayal of modern day Native Americans, come through in the film Eclipse.”
The theme of Quileute Days this year was "History through Our Traditions," focusing on education about the authentic Quileute history, legends and culture.
About Gil Birmingham:
Born in San Antonio, Texas, award-winning actor Gil Birmingham has been featured in more than 40 film and television productions. Most recently, Birmingham has generated public acclaim for his portrayal as Billy Black in the blockbuster Twilight Saga films based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer.
His many TV and screen credits include appearances in End of the Spear, Dreamkeeper, Skins, Gentle Ben, The Lone Ranger, The Doe Boy, Love’s Long Journey, Nip/Tuck, 10 Items or Less, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars and Body & Soul. In 1995, his powerful portrayal of Dogstar in Steven Spielberg’s six-part miniseries, Into the West, captured the attention of audiences worldwide. It is through his eyes, that viewers witness the atrocities and devastation that occurred at Wounded Knee in 1890.
Currently in theaters, Birmingham can be seen playing the corrupt sheriff Johnny Cortez in The Love Ranch, starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci, directed by Taylor Hackford, and Billy Black in the Twilight Saga Eclipse. He recently wrapped up the filming of Rango, an animated film with Johnny Depp, scheduled for release in March 2011. Shouting Secrets, a film with fellow Twilight Saga werewolf Chaske Spencer and General Hospital’s Tyler Christopher is due out next year. On television, he recently appeared in episodes of The Mentalist (CBS) and Castle (ABC).
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"We were delighted to welcome Gil to La Push and Quileute Days," tribal spokeswoman Jackie Jacobs said. "It was an honor to have him join us in this very special celebration of Quileute culture and traditions. How wonderful to have Gil Birmingham, who portrays Council Chairman Billy Black in ‘Twilight Saga: Eclipse’ meet the true Chairwoman Anna Rose Councell-Geyer and the other members of the Quileute Tribal Council.”
On Saturday, Birmingham participated in the festival parade, an autograph session, and made a guest appearance at the Talent Showcase.
“I am truly honored to have been invited to the Quileute Nation as they celebrate their culture and traditions,” said Gil Birmingham (Comanche) from his home in Los Angeles, CA. “In the three Twilight Saga films, I attempted to portray Billy Black and Quileute tribal members with honor and respect. The entire premise of the Twilight books and movies is based on Quileute tribal legends which are deeply rooted in the ancient cultural traditions. It was important to me that the legends, as well as an honest portrayal of modern day Native Americans, come through in the film Eclipse.”
The theme of Quileute Days this year was "History through Our Traditions," focusing on education about the authentic Quileute history, legends and culture.
About Gil Birmingham:
Born in San Antonio, Texas, award-winning actor Gil Birmingham has been featured in more than 40 film and television productions. Most recently, Birmingham has generated public acclaim for his portrayal as Billy Black in the blockbuster Twilight Saga films based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer.
His many TV and screen credits include appearances in End of the Spear, Dreamkeeper, Skins, Gentle Ben, The Lone Ranger, The Doe Boy, Love’s Long Journey, Nip/Tuck, 10 Items or Less, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars and Body & Soul. In 1995, his powerful portrayal of Dogstar in Steven Spielberg’s six-part miniseries, Into the West, captured the attention of audiences worldwide. It is through his eyes, that viewers witness the atrocities and devastation that occurred at Wounded Knee in 1890.
Currently in theaters, Birmingham can be seen playing the corrupt sheriff Johnny Cortez in The Love Ranch, starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci, directed by Taylor Hackford, and Billy Black in the Twilight Saga Eclipse. He recently wrapped up the filming of Rango, an animated film with Johnny Depp, scheduled for release in March 2011. Shouting Secrets, a film with fellow Twilight Saga werewolf Chaske Spencer and General Hospital’s Tyler Christopher is due out next year. On television, he recently appeared in episodes of The Mentalist (CBS) and Castle (ABC).
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Contact
NS PR & Entertainment
Jody Roberts
216-798-3349
www.nativespiritpublicrelations.com
www.gilbirmingham.com
www.myspace.com/gilbirmingham
Jody Roberts
216-798-3349
www.nativespiritpublicrelations.com
www.gilbirmingham.com
www.myspace.com/gilbirmingham
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