Person
Will Sampson
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native-American businessman, entrepreneur, rodeo performer, actor and painter/artist. He was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and…
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Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native-American businessman, entrepreneur, rodeo performer, actor and painter/artist. He was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and was an imposing 6' 7" (2.01 m) tall and also wore size 18 4E shoes. 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. Mr. 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. Mr. 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 man to play the role of Chief Bromden a 6’8”, 300 lb, Native-American/European-American man. 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. Mr. 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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2011
That's Insignificance
Movie Self
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1999
Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales
Movie Self (archive footage)
-
1997
Completely Cuckoo
Movie
-
1987
The Gunfighters
Movie Train Passenger
-
1986
Firewalker
Movie Tall Eagle
-
1986
Johnny Appleseed
Movie Chief
-
1986
Roanoak
TV show Wingina
-
1986
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Movie Taylor
-
1985
Tall Tales & Legends
TV show Chief
-
1985
Insignificance
Movie Elevator Attendant
-
1985
Wildside
TV show
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1984
The Mystic Warrior
TV show Wambli
-
1983
The Yellow Rose
TV show John Stronghart
-
1983
The Great Spirit Within the Hole
Movie Narrator
-
1982
American Playhouse
TV show Wingina
-
1981
Born to the Wind
TV show Painted Bear
More credits
-
1980
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
TV show Clarence's Father
-
1980
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
Movie Clarence's Father
-
1980
From Here to Eternity
TV show Sgt. Cheney
-
1980
Fish Hawk
Movie Fish Hawk
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1979
From Here to Eternity
TV show Cpl. Cheney
-
1978
Standing Tall
Movie Lonny Moon
-
1977
The Hunted Lady
Movie Uncle George
-
1977
Relentless
Movie Sam Watchman
-
1977
Orca
Movie Umilak
-
1977
The White Buffalo
Movie Crazy Horse/Worm
-
1976
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Movie Ten Bears
-
1976
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
Movie The Interpreter (William Halsey)
-
1975
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Movie Chief Bromden
-
1975
Crazy Mama
Movie Indian at Trading Post
