Peter Coyote

Peter Coyote is an American actor, author, narrator, activist, and ordained Zen Buddhist priest whose career spans more than six decades. Coyote has appeared in more than 160 films, served as an Emmy Award-winning narrator for over 200 documentaries and audiobooks, and written two memoirs. He is also known for his political activism, songwriting, guitar playing, and singing.

Coyote first gained attention as a founding member of the Diggers, an anarchist group active in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury community, recognized for operating anonymously and without money. The group organized provocative theater events to raise awareness about issues related to private property and consumerism, provided free meals to nearly 600 people daily, and operated a Free Store, Free Medical Clinic, and a short-lived Free Bank. This period of activism became the foundation for his memoir, "Sleeping Where I Fall," which chronicles the 1960s counterculture. A chapter from the book, "Carla's Story," received the Pushcart Prize for Excellence in non-fiction. His second memoir, "The Rainman's Third Cure: An Irregular Education," explores mentorship and the search for wisdom.

Coyote's transition from radical communard to Hollywood actor is notable. A lead performance in the world premiere of Sam Shepard's "True West" led to a Hollywood career, including a role as the government agent Keys in Steven Spielberg's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial." His film career extended to Europe, where he worked with directors such as Almodóvar and Polanski and became a regular at the Cannes Film Festival. Before his film career, Coyote served on the California Arts Council, including three years as chair, during which time arts funding increased significantly.

Coyote is widely recognized for his work as a documentary narrator, particularly for his collaborations with Ken Burns. His narration credits include "The West," "The National Parks," "Prohibition," "The Dust Bowl," "The Vietnam War," "Country Music," and "The American Revolution." He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History." Coyote is known for his distinctive baritone and his approach to narration, which involves reading scripts for the first time during recording to remain present and responsive.

In addition to his artistic work, Coyote's spiritual journey is a significant aspect of his public life. He began practicing meditation in the mid-1970s, lived at the San Francisco Zen Center, and was later ordained as a Zen priest. His poetry collection "Tongue of a Crow" spans five decades and reflects his experiences as an activist, actor, and Zen Buddhist priest. His book "Zen in the Vernacular: Things As It Is" is based on lectures delivered online. Coyote's work in film, literature, and narration, combined with his commitment to Zen Buddhism, has established him as a multifaceted figure in American culture.