Will Sampson

Born: 1933-09-26

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.


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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

as Chief Bromden
Released: 1975-11-19

A 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 Bears
Released: 1976-06-30

After avenging his family's brutal murder, Wales is pursued by a pack of soldiers. He prefers to...

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Orca

as Umilak
Released: 1977-07-22

After witnessing the killing of his mate and offspring at the hands of a reckless Irish captain,...

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Firewalker

as Tall Eagle
Released: 1986-11-21

A pair of adventurers try to track down an ancient Aztec/Mayan/Egyptian/Apache horde of gold.

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as Taylor
Released: 1986-05-23

The Freeling family move in with Diane's mother in an effort to escape the trauma and aftermath...

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Don't See

Crazy Mama

as Indian at Trading Post
Released: 1975-06-01

Melba Stokes, her mother Sheba and daughter Cheryl embark on a crime spree after their...

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The White Buffalo

as Crazy Horse/Worm
Released: 1977-05-01

In this strange western version of Moby Dick, Wild Bill Hickok hunts a white buffalo he has seen...

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Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson

as The Interpreter (William Halsey)
Released: 1976-06-24

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 Attendant
Released: 1985-08-02

Four 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 Father
Released: 1980-11-05

Filmed on location at Alcatraz Island, this two-part "whole story" actually concentrates on a...

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That's Insignificance

as Self
Released: 2011-06-14

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Nicolas Roeg's 1985 film INSIGNIFICANCE featuring...

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Roanoak

as Wingina
Released: 1986-05-26

The story chronicles the first recorded meeting in the late 16th Century between British...

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The Hunted Lady

as Uncle George
Released: 1977-11-28

An undercover policewoman finds herself framed for murder. Forced to flee for her life, she...

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Johnny Appleseed

as Chief
Released: 1986-01-01

Shelley Duvall acted as host for this 1980s television series about legendary characters and...

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Standing Tall

as Lonny Moon
Released: 1978-01-21

Set in Montana in the year 1934, a half-breed rancher and his wife are harassed by a ruthless...

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The Mystic Warrior

as Wambli
Released: 1984-05-20

Saga about a proud band of Sioux Indians, and the efforts of one brave to save his people from...

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The Gunfighters

as Train Passenger
Released: 1987-01-01

In this pilot Western produced for Canadian television, two brothers and their cousin become...

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The Great Spirit Within the Hole

as Narrator
Released: 1983-09-12

The story of Native Americans seeking to reconnect with their spiritual roots while incarcerated.

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Tall Tales & Legends

as Chief
First aired: 1985-09-25

An anthology series that showcases various mythical characters and incidents throughout history.

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The Yellow Rose

as John Stronghart
First aired: 1983-10-02

The Yellow Rose is an American television series. It was broadcast on the NBC network during the...

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From Here to Eternity

as Cpl. Cheney
First aired: 1979-02-14

The lives of the men and families of G Company, 24th Infantry Division, United States Army, on...

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Wildside

as uncredited
First aired: 1985-03-21

Wildside 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 Father
First aired: 1980-11-05

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