Adam Beach was born in Ashern, Manitoba, Canada, to Sally and Dennis Beach, and grew up on the Dog Creek First Nations Reserve with his two brothers. Tragedy struck his childhood when his mother was killed in a drunk-driving accident, followed by his father's drowning just weeks later. The three brothers were then taken in by their grandmother and later their uncle and aunt in Winnipeg, where Adam discovered his passion for acting through drama classes and local theatre productions.
Throughout his career, Adam has appeared in over 60 films and television programs, showcasing his remarkable talent. One of his most notable roles was as Ira Hayes in Clint Eastwood's Academy Award-nominated film Flags of Our Fathers (2006),where he portrayed a Pima Native American who struggled with the fame that came with raising the American flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Adam's performance earned him two Best Supporting Actor Award nominations and earned him praise for his realistic and heart-wrenching portrayal of Hayes.
Adam's other notable roles include his performance in the comedy film Joe Dirt (2001),the John Woo-directed war epic Windtalkers (2002),and the Walt Disney production Squanto: A Warrior's Tale (1994). He has also appeared in John Singleton's Four Brothers (2005),Cowboys & Aliens (2011),and the science fiction-western film alongside Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig.
In addition to his film work, Adam has had recurring roles in popular television shows such as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Big Love (2006). He has also lent his voice to several animated films and television series.
In 2016, Adam played the role of Christopher Weiss / Slipknot in the supervillain film Suicide Squad (2016).