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Will Sampson

Acting

Will Sampson

Will Sampson is an actor born on September 26, 1933 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA. He died on June 3, 1987, aged 53. He is known for Poltergeist II: The Other Side, Orca and Firewalker. GloboWatch shows where to watch one of his movies and TV shows, country by country.

Known for
Acting
Born
September 26, 1933
Place of birth
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Died
June 3, 1987

Biography

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

  1. 2011That's Insignificanceas Self
  2. 1999Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Walesas Self (archive footage)
  3. 1997Completely Cuckoo
  4. 1987The Gunfightersas Train Passenger
  5. 1986Firewalkeras Tall Eagle
  6. 1986Johnny Appleseedas Chief
  7. 1986Roanoakas Wingina · 3 episodes
  8. 1986Poltergeist II: The Other Sideas Taylor
  9. 1985Tall Tales & Legendsas Chief · 1 episode
  10. 1985Insignificanceas Elevator Attendant
  11. 1985Wildside1 episode
  12. 1984The Mystic Warrioras Wambli · 2 episodes
  13. 1983The Yellow Roseas John Stronghart · 22 episodes
  14. 1983The Great Spirit Within the Holeas Narrator
  15. 1982American Playhouseas Wingina · 2 episodes
  16. 1981Born to the Windas Painted Bear · 1 episode
  17. 1980Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Storyas Clarence's Father
  18. 1980Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Storyas Clarence's Father · 2 episodes
  19. 1980From Here to Eternityas Sgt. Cheney · 12 episodes
  20. 1980Fish Hawkas Fish Hawk
  21. 1979From Here to Eternityas Cpl. Cheney · 3 episodes
  22. 1978Standing Tallas Lonny Moon
  23. 1977The Hunted Ladyas Uncle George
  24. 1977Relentlessas Sam Watchman
  25. 1977Orcaas Umilak
  26. 1977The White Buffaloas Crazy Horse/Worm
  27. 1976The Outlaw Josey Walesas Ten Bears
  28. 1976Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lessonas The Interpreter (William Halsey)
  29. 1975One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nestas Chief Bromden
  30. 1975Crazy Mamaas Indian at Trading Post