Derek M. Puma is an American actor known for his rock star style, portraying villains and taking on Indigenous roles. Puma was born December 24th, 1989 in Rome, New York. He is of Sicilian and Seneca (Haudenosaunee) decent. Puma started out modeling at age 6 and during his childhood His father owned a restaurant downtown that was located next door to the local theater called 'The Capitol' where he enjoyed going to see the live theatrical productions anytime one was held, and this exposure would interest him in acting doing school plays leading up to college. While attending college at Mohawk Valley he took numerous acting classes and performed many community theatre productions. Puma also enjoyed being his school mascot 'Mo' the Hawk. In 2013 Puma published his first book called "The Message". An Inspirational book filled with positive and uplifting material. Puma has since continued writing but now focuses more on writing songs and storytelling. In 2017 he wrote, directed, produced, and did the voice over in his own short film called 'A Message Told'. Besides writing Puma has been known for his cosplays. In 2018 Puma became a professional mascot for a AHL hockey team which at the time was affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. In 2019 Puma decided to shift his main focus as an entertainer to acting for film and television. In 2022 Puma moved to Nashville where he continued to book himself roles in films, a hit series, music videos, and a commercial with ESPN, as well as being featured in Nashville Voyager Magazine for his inspiring story of striving towards his Acting dreams! In 2023 Puma got his first lead role as 'Koda' in a short film titled 'The Squirrel Whisperer". Entertaining and bringing joy to others is what Puma enjoys doing most! It is imagination and creativity which have been two driving factors in his life since at a young age and it has been through cosplay, writing stories, acting, and being a professional mascot that has made it possible for him to share this passion with others!
