Image of Will Sampson

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.


Read bio at tmdb | Read bio at Wikipedia
Born:
Sep 27, 1933 In Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Movie/TV Credits:
24
First Appeared:
In the movie Crazy Mama 1975-06-01
Latest Project:
Movie Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales 1999-03-30
Known For
Poster of Insignificance
Poster of Fish Hawk
Poster of The Hunted Lady
Poster of Relentless
Filmography
Movie Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales Self (archive footage) 1999-03-30
Movie The Gunfighters Train Passenger 1987-01-01
Movie Poltergeist II: The Other Side Taylor 1986-05-23
Movie Johnny Appleseed Chief 1986-01-01
Movie Firewalker Tall Eagle 1986-11-21
Movie Roanoak Wingina 1986-05-26
Movie Insignificance Elevator Attendant 1985-08-02
Series Tall Tales & Legends Chief 1985-09-25
Movie The Mystic Warrior Wambli 1984-05-20
Series The Yellow Rose John Stronghart 1983-10-02
Series From Here to Eternity Sgt. Cheney 1980-03-10
Movie Fish Hawk Fish Hawk 1980-01-25
Series Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story Clarence's Father 1980-11-05
Movie Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story Clarence's Father 1980-11-05
Series From Here to Eternity Cpl. Cheney 1979-02-14
Movie Standing Tall Lonny Moon 1978-01-21
Movie The White Buffalo Crazy Horse/Worm 1977-05-01
Movie Orca Umilak 1977-07-22
Movie Relentless Sam Watchman 1977-09-14
Movie The Hunted Lady Uncle George 1977-11-28
Movie Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson The Interpreter (William Halsey) 1976-06-24
Movie The Outlaw Josey Wales Ten Bears 1976-06-30
Movie Crazy Mama Indian at Trading Post 1975-06-01
Movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Chief Bromden 1975-11-19