Westworld: Zahn McClarnon celebrates his 52nd birthday!

Westworld fans, today is our dear Akecheta aka Zahn McClarnon’s 52nd birthday!

Westworld shined a bit brighter in the second season largely in part to the introduction of Ghost Nation member, Akecheta, played by the incomparable Zahn McClarnon. Almost immediately, McClarnon’s portrayal of Akecheta won us over and the world collectively fell in love with everything about him.

So while we wait in anticipation over whether or not this iconic character will return for season 3, we will take the day today to celebrate the man who makes Akecheta come to life. Today is Zahn McClarnon’s 52nd birthday, so indeed there is a lot to celebrate!

McClarnon is a Native American actor that is also of half-Irish descent, his mother is Hunkpapa Lakota and his father Irish. And did you know he has a fraternal twin brother? Yup, that’s right!

If you’re a fan of McClarnon’s then you’ve seen him in quite a few things before he came to Westworld including Longmire, Fargo season 2, and The Son. Suffice to say, he is quite the beloved man, and we are so grateful that he graced his presence on Westworld as well.

In season 2, episode 8, “Kiksuya”, McClarnon’s performance as Akecheta blew everyone’s minds and it is still one of the most talked about episodes of the season. In fact, it is quite possibly everyone’s favorite episode, ever.

The subtle nuances, expressions, and life he brought to Akecheta on Westworld are unlike anything many of us have ever seen before, and from the moment that episode began, we knew it would go down in history.

So, take a moment today to wish a happy birthday to the man who brought such an iconic character into our lives and increased the admiration for Westworld by ten-fold.

We appreciate you, Mr. Zahn McClarnon, and we hope today and the year ahead is filled with all the joys life can bring. We carry you in our hearts–wherever we go.