Will Sampson
| Will Sampson | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Will Sampson September 27, 1933 Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 1987 (aged 53) Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | painter, actor |
| Years active | 1975–1987 |
William "Will" Sampson, Jr. (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native American painter, actor, and rodeo performer. He is best known for his performance as Chief Bromden in the Academy Award winning film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as well as for his role as Taylor in Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Ten Bears in the Clint Eastwood 1976 classic The Outlaw Josey Wales.
William Sampson, Jr., a full blooded Muscogee (Creek), was born in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Sampson is the father of Samsoche "Sam," Lumhe "Micco" Sampson of the Sampson Brothers Duo and Destiny Sampson. They are known for their traditional fancy and grass dances, and often perform with Frank Waln, a notable Lakota hip-hop artist.
Sampson competed in rodeos (his specialty being bronco busting), for about twenty years. He was on the rodeo circuit when producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas—of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest—were looking for a large Native American to play the role of Chief Bromden. Sampson stood an imposing 6'8 " (2.05m) tall. Rodeo announcer Mel Lambert mentioned Sampson to them, and after lengthy efforts to find him, hired him on the strength of an interview. He had never acted before.
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 (such as Wes Studi and Randolph Mantooth) have appeared in stage productions. He also played in The White Buffalo with Charles Bronson.
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