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.
Known For
Credits
- 2011 · That's Insignificance as Self
- 1999 · Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales as Self (archive footage)
- 1987 · The Gunfighters as Train Passenger
- 1986 · Firewalker as Tall Eagle
- 1986 · Roanoak as Wingina
- 1986 · Poltergeist II: The Other Side as Taylor
- 1986 · Johnny Appleseed as Chief
- 1985 · Tall Tales & Legends as Chief
- 1985 · Insignificance as Elevator Attendant
- 1985 · Wildside as
- 1984 · The Mystic Warrior as Wambli
- 1983 · The Yellow Rose as John Stronghart
- 1983 · The Great Spirit Within the Hole as Narrator
- 1980 · Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story as Clarence's Father
- 1980 · Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story as Clarence's Father
- 1980 · From Here to Eternity as Sgt. Cheney
- 1980 · Fish Hawk as Fish Hawk
- 1979 · From Here to Eternity as Cpl. Cheney
- 1978 · Standing Tall as Lonny Moon
- 1977 · The Hunted Lady as Uncle George
- 1977 · Relentless as Sam Watchman
- 1977 · Orca as Umilak
- 1977 · The White Buffalo as Crazy Horse/Worm
- 1976 · The Outlaw Josey Wales as Ten Bears
- 1976 · Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson as The Interpreter (William Halsey)
- 1975 · One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as Chief Bromden
- 1975 · Crazy Mama as Indian at Trading Post