Will Sampson
























Will Sampson
Willsamson.jpg
Born
William Sampson Jr.


(1933-09-27)September 27, 1933

Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S.

Died June 3, 1987(1987-06-03) (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 the apparent deaf and mute Native American Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and as Worm in the 1977 western The White Buffalo, as well as his roles as Taylor in Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Ten Bears in 1976's The Outlaw Josey Wales.




Contents






  • 1 Life and career


  • 2 Rodeo performer


  • 3 Actor


  • 4 Artist


  • 5 Death


  • 6 Legacy


  • 7 Filmography


  • 8 Awards and nominations


  • 9 Notes


  • 10 Bibliography


  • 11 External links





Life and career


William "Will" Sampson Jr., also known by his childhood nickname, "Sonny," a full-blooded Muscogee (Creek) Native American Indian, was born in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to William "Wiley" Sampson Sr. (August 13, 1904 – May 27, 2001) and Mabel Sampson (née Lewis, 1899–?)[1] Sampson is the father of Samsoche "Sam," Lumhe "Micco" Sampson of the Sampson Brothers Duo and Destiny Sampson.[2] They are known for their traditional fancy and grass dances, and often perform with Frank Waln, a notable Lakota hip-hop artist.



Rodeo performer


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 6'7" (2.01 m) tall.[3] Rodeo announcer Mel Lambert mentioned Sampson to them, and after lengthy efforts to find him, they hired him on the strength of an interview. He had never acted before.[4]



Actor


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.



Artist


Sampson was an artist. His large painting depicting the Ribbon Dance of the Muscogee (Creek) is in the collection of the Creek Council House Museum in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His artwork has been shown at the Gilcrease Museum and the Philbrook Museum of Art.[1] In 1983 he founded and served on the board of directors of the American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts.



Death


Sampson suffered from scleroderma, a chronic degenerative condition that affected his heart, lungs, and skin. During his lengthy illness, his weight fell from 260 lb (120 kg) to 140 lb (64 kg), causing complications related to malnutrition. After undergoing a heart and lung transplant at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, he died on June 3, 1987, of post-operative kidney failure. Sampson was 53 years old.[5] Sampson was interred at Graves Creek Cemetery in Hitchita, Oklahoma.



Legacy


Will Sampson Road, in Okmulgee County (east of Highway 75 near Preston, Oklahoma), is named for him.



Filmography



























































































































































Film
Year
Film
Role
Other notes
1975

Crazy Mama
Indian at Trading
Uncredited Role

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Chief Bromden

1976

Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
The Interpreter / William Halsey


The Outlaw Josey Wales

Ten Bears

1977

The White Buffalo

Crazy Horse / Worm


Orca
Umilak

1978

Cowboysan
Indian Chief

Short film
1979

Fish Hawk
Fish Hawk

1985

Insignificance
Elevator Attendant

1986

Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Taylor


Firewalker
Tall Eagle

Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1977

Relentless
Sam Watchman

CBS TV-Movie

The Hunted Lady
Uncle George

NBC TV-Movie
1978

Standing Tall
Lonny Moon

NBC TV-Movie
1978–1979

Vega$
Harlon Two-Leaf
6 episodes
1979

From Here to Eternity
Sgt. Cheney
Not to be confused with the 1980 spinoff
1980

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
Clarence's Father

NBC TV-Movie
1982

Born to the Wind
Painted Bear

1983–1984

The Yellow Rose
John Strongheart
7 episodes
1984

The Mystic Warrior
Evan Freed

ABC Miniseries
1985

Wildside
Fake Sitting Bull

Episode: Buffalo Who?
1986

Roanoak
Wingina

Miniseries

Tall Tales & Legends
Chief

Episode: Johnny Appleseed
1987

The Gunfighters
Train Passenger

TV-Movie, (final film role)


Awards and nominations



  • Genie Award 1980: Nominated, "Best Performance by a Foreign Actor" – Fish Hawk


Notes





  1. ^ ab Actor Will Sampson to be Honored at Checotah Art Market; April 23, 2015; Cathy Spaulding, Phoenix Staff Writer; Muskogee Phoenix; retrieved November 2015


  2. ^ Sampson Brothers; official webpage; retrieved November 2015


  3. ^ "Will Sampson, 53, Portrayed An Indian in 'Cuckoo's Nest'"


  4. ^ Dick Kleiner, Will Sampson's Acting was Instinctive In 'Cuckoo's Nest' ; by Newspaper Enterprise Association; [in the Ocala Star-Banner ]; August 29, 1976.


  5. ^ Will Dies After Transplant Herald-Journal; June 4, 1987; retrieved November 5, 2012.




Bibliography



  • Escobar Zoe. Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest: the Art and Life of William Sonny Sampson... Seattle: Girl Dog Publ., 2009. (Ill.)


External links




  • Will Sampson on IMDb

  • Will Sampson interviews


  • Will Sampson: Documentary Ensures Actor is Remembered. The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA)


  • Will Sampson at Find a Grave









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