500 Nations

500 Nations is an eight-part documentary on the Native Americans of North and Central America. It documents from pre-Columbian to the end of the 19th century. Much of the information comes from text, eyewitnesses, pictorials, and computer graphics. The series was hosted by Kevin Costner, narrated by Gregory Harrison, and directed by Jack Leustig. It included the voice talents of Eric Schweig, Gordon Tootoosis, Wes Studi, Cástulo Guerra, Tony Plana, Edward James Olmos, Patrick Stewart, Gary Farmer, Tom Jackson, Tantoo Cardinal, Dante Basco, Sheldon Peters Wolfchild, Tim Bottoms, Michael Horse, Graham Greene, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Amy Madigan, Frank Salsedo, and Kurtwood Smith. The series was written by Jack Leustig, Roberta Grossman, Lee Miller, and W. T. Morgan, with Dr. John M. D. Pohl.

"The truth is, we have a story worth talking about. We have a history worth celebrating. Long before the first Europeans arrived here, there were some 500 nations already in North America. They blanketed the continent from coast to coast, from Central America to the Arctic. There were tens of millions of people here, speaking over 300 languages. Many of them lived in beautiful cities, among the largest and most advanced in the world. In the coming hours, 500 Nations looks back on those ancient cultures, how they lived, and how many survived.... What you're about to see is what happened. It's not all that happened, and it's not always pleasant. We can't change that. We can't turn back the clock. But we can open our eyes and give the first nations of this land the recognition and respect they deserve: their rightful place in the history of the world." Kevin Costner

Full Cast of 500 Nations

Kevin Costner as Himself - Host

Kevin Costner

as Himself - Host

Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received two Academy Awards,...

Castulo Guerra

Castulo Guerra

Castulo Guerra was born on August 24, 1945 and is currently 79 years old.

Gregory Harrison

Gregory Harrison

Gregory Harrison was born on May 31, 1950 and is currently 74 years old.

Eric Schweig

Eric Schweig

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Eric Schweig (born Ray Dean Thrasher on 19 June 1967  ) is a Canadian actor b...

Timothy Bottoms

Timothy Bottoms

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Timothy James Bottoms is an American actor and film producer. He is best kno...

Patrick Stewart

Patrick Stewart

An English film, television and stage actor. He has had a distinguished career in theatre and television for around h...

Tony Plana

Tony Plana

Tony Plana is a Cuban-American stage, film and television actor and director, best known for playing Ignacio Suarez, ...

Edward James Olmos

Edward James Olmos

Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an American actor, director, producer, and activist. He is best known...


Crew of 500 Nations

Discover the backstage crew of 500 Nations →