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Will Sampson

Will Sampson

Actor

Born September 26, 1933 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA

Died June 3, 1987

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Biography

Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native-American actor and artist. Mr. Sampson, a Muscogee (Creek) Native American, 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.

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Will Sampson Photos

Will Sampson Videos

CBS Movie promo Relentless 1977

The White Buffalo - Trailer Recut

The White Buffalo (1977) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

Orca (1977) - Official Trailer (HD)

Orca - The Killer Whale trailer (1977)

ORCA THE KILLER WHALE 1977

Orca (1977) Original Trailer [HD]

We Are One (Orca End Credits) - Ennio Morricone ft. Carol Connors I Orca Original Soundtrack

Filmography

Actor

35

Type

Year

Bearing Witness, Native American Voices in Hollywood Poster

Bearing Witness, Native American Voices in Hollywood TV Movie2025Self - Actor

Entretien avec Philippe Guedj Poster

Entretien avec Philippe Guedj Video2024Self - Jacob Umilak

TCM Remembers 2023 Poster

TCM Remembers 2023 Feature Film2023Self

I Am Documentary2010Chief Bromden

Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters Poster

Boffo! Tinseltown's Bombs and Blockbusters Documentary2006Chief Bromden

Hell Hath No Fury Poster

Hell Hath No Fury Documentary1999Self

Completely Cuckoo Poster

Completely Cuckoo Documentary1997Self

The Gunfighters Poster

The Gunfighters TV Movie1987Train Passenger

Firewalker Poster

Firewalker Feature Film1986Tall Eagle

Poltergeist II: The Other Side Poster

Poltergeist II: The Other Side Feature Film1986Taylor

Insignificance Poster

Insignificance Feature Film1985Elevator Attendant

Tall Tales & Legends Poster

Tall Tales & Legends TV Series1985Chief

Wildside Poster

Wildside TV Series1985Fake Sitting Bull

The Mystic Warrior Poster

The Mystic Warrior TV Movie1984Wambli

Great Spirit Within the Hole Poster

Great Spirit Within the Hole Documentary1983Narration

The Yellow Rose Poster

The Yellow Rose TV Series1983John Stronghart

American Playhouse Poster

American Playhouse TV Series1982Wingina

Born to the Wind Poster

Born to the Wind TV Series1981Painted Bear

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story Poster

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story TV Series1980Clarence's Father

From Here to Eternity Poster

From Here to Eternity TV Series1980Sgt. Cheney

Fish Hawk Poster

Fish Hawk Feature Film1979Fish Hawk

From Here to Eternity Poster

From Here to Eternity Mini-Series1979Cpl. Cheney

Images of Indians TV Series1979Self - Host

Cowboysan Poster

Cowboysan Short Film1978Indian Chief

Standing Tall Poster

Standing Tall TV Movie1978Lonny Moon

Vega$ TV Series1978Harlon Twoleaf

Orca Feature Film1977Jacob Umilak

Relentless Poster

Relentless TV Movie1977Sam Watchman

The Hunted Lady Poster

The Hunted Lady TV Movie1977Uncle George

The White Buffalo Poster

The White Buffalo Feature Film1977Crazy Horse

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

Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson Feature Film1976The Interpreter

Eastwood in Action Poster

Eastwood in Action Short Film1976Self

The Outlaw Josey Wales Poster

The Outlaw Josey Wales Feature Film1976Ten Bears

Crazy Mama Poster

Crazy Mama Feature Film1975Indian At Trading

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Poster

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Feature Film1975Chief Bromden

Thanks

1

Reservation Dogs Poster

Reservation Dogs TV Series2021

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