Will Sampson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was an American actor and artist. Sampson, a Native American Muscogee (Creek), was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and was an imposing 6' 5" (1.96 m) tall. Sampson's most notable roles were as "Chief Bromden" in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and as "Taylor the Medicine Man" in the horror film Poltergeist II. He had a recurring role on the TV series Vega$, as Harlon Twoleaf and starred in the movies Fish Hawk, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and Orca. Sampson appeared in the production of Black Elk Speaks with the American Indian Theater Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where David Carradine and other Native American actors like Wes Studi and Randolph Mantooth starred in stage productions. Sampson competed in rodeos, his speciality riding bucking broncos, for about twenty years. He was on the rodeo circuit when the producers of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas, were looking for a large Native American to play the role of Chief Bromden. A rodeo announcer told them about Sampson, and after lengthy efforts to find him, they hired him on the strength of an interview. He had never acted before. Sampson was also an artist. His large painting depicting the Ribbon Dance of his Muscogee people is in the collection of the Creek Council House Museum in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His artwork is currently displayed online by The Kvskvnv (“kuskuna”) Association. Description above from the Wikipedia article Will Sampson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
as Chief BromdenA petty criminal fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental ward rather than prison. He...
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The Outlaw Josey Wales
as Ten BearsAfter avenging his family's brutal murder, Wales is pursued by a pack of soldiers. He prefers to...
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The Freeling family move in with Diane's mother in an effort to escape the trauma and aftermath...
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Orca
as UmilakAfter witnessing the killing of his mate and offspring at the hands of a reckless Irish captain,...
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The White Buffalo
as Crazy Horse/WormIn this strange western version of Moby Dick, Wild Bill Hickok hunts a white buffalo he has seen...
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Firewalker
as Tall EagleA pair of adventurers try to track down an ancient Aztec/Mayan/Egyptian/Apache horde of gold.
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Crazy Mama
as Indian at Trading PostMelba Stokes, her mother Sheba and daughter Cheryl embark on a crime spree after their...
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Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
as The Interpreter (William Halsey)Buffalo Bill plans to put on his own Wild West sideshow, and Chief Sitting Bull has agreed to...
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Insignificance
as Elevator AttendantFour 1950s cultural icons who conceivably could have met but probably didn't, fictionally do so...
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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
as Clarence's FatherFilmed on location at Alcatraz Island, this two-part "whole story" actually concentrates on a...
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The Hunted Lady
as Uncle GeorgeAn undercover policewoman finds herself framed for murder. Forced to flee for her life, she...
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The Mystic Warrior
as WambliSaga about a proud band of Sioux Indians, and the efforts of one brave to save his people from...
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Johnny Appleseed
as ChiefShelley Duvall acted as host for this 1980s television series about legendary characters and...
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Standing Tall
as Lonny MoonSet in Montana in the year 1934, a half-breed rancher and his wife are harassed by a ruthless...
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The Gunfighters
as Train PassengerIn this pilot Western produced for Canadian television, two brothers and their cousin become...
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Relentless
as Sam WatchmanAn Arizona state trooper, who is also an Indian, pursues a gang of paramilitary-type robbers...
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Roanoak
as WinginaThe story chronicles the first recorded meeting in the late 16th Century between British...
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That's Insignificance
as SelfA behind-the-scenes look at the making of Nicolas Roeg's 1985 film INSIGNIFICANCE featuring...
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The Great Spirit Within the Hole
as NarratorThe story of Native Americans seeking to reconnect with their spiritual roots while incarcerated.
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Tall Tales & Legends
as ChiefAn anthology series that showcases various mythical characters and incidents throughout history.
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From Here to Eternity
as Cpl. CheneyThe lives of the men and families of G Company, 24th Infantry Division, United States Army, on...
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The Yellow Rose
as John StronghartThe Yellow Rose is an American television series. It was broadcast on the NBC network during the...
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Wildside
as uncreditedWildside is an American series aired by ABC from March to April 1985. The series stars William...
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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
as Clarence's FatherFact-based story of the lives and attempted 1946 escape of several inmates in the famous...
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