Tonantzin Carmelo is an American actress, singer, and activist born on March 10, 1977, in Orange County, California.

Of Indigenous (Tongva and Mexican) heritage, she began her career as a traditional dancer before rising to fame in Into the West.

She has appeared in Yellowstone, Longmire, and Z Nation, and voiced roles in Dead Space and Cyberpunk 2077.

Early Life And Education

Tonantzin Carmelo was born on March 10, 1977, in Orange County, California, and she is 48 years old. Raised by her parent, Virginia Carmelo, she comes from a mixed heritage of Indigenous (Tongva and Mexican Indigenous) and Latina descent. She identifies as Native American and Latina, and her cultural roots play a significant role in her work.

Tonantzin practices Indigenous traditions and is deeply connected to her ancestry. She attended the University of California, Irvine, where she earned a degree in Environmental Studies and Dance, combining her academic interests with a passion for performance and activism.

Career

Tonantzin Carmelo began her career as a traditional Native American dancer and singer before transitioning into acting. She gained national attention for her breakout role as Thunder Heart Woman in Steven Spielberg’s Emmy-winning miniseries Into the West, which earned her a Screen Actors Guild nomination.

She has since appeared in various television series, including Longmire, The L Word: Generation Q, Veronica Mars, Yellowstone, and Z Nation. In addition to live-action roles, Tonantzin has voiced characters in major video games such as Dead Space, Assassin’s Creed, and Cyberpunk 2077, showcasing her versatility across mediums.

Her work often centers on representing Indigenous cultures with authenticity and dignity. Outside of acting, she is also a singer and performer of traditional music and serves as an advocate for Native American communities in film and media.

Awards and Nominations

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award Nomination for Into the West

American Indian Film Festival – Best Actress Nominee

Honored at various Indigenous film festivals for cultural contributions

Personal Life

Tonantzin Carmelo is not publicly known to be married, and she has not disclosed past or current relationships. She stands at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm). She maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing much of her energy on cultural advocacy, the arts, and empowering Indigenous voices in entertainment.

Filmography

Into the West (TV Miniseries)

Yellowstone (TV Series)

Z Nation

Longmire

The L Word: Generation Q

Veronica Mars

Dead Space (Video Game)

Cyberpunk 2077 (Video Game)

Assassin’s Creed (Video Game)

Net Worth

Tonantzin Carmelo has an estimated net worth of approximately $1.5 million. Her income sources include acting in television, film, and video games, as well as performing traditional music and participating in cultural events. She also earns from public speaking and advocacy work that centers on Indigenous representation in the media.