Quick Facts
Born:
1933-09-26
Birthplace:
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Credits:
28 Total Roles
Will Sampson
Acting
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Biography
Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 β 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 6β8β, 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 (βkuskunaβ) Association.
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 6β8β, 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 (βkuskunaβ) Association.
Known For
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Chief Bromden
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Ten Bears
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Taylor
Orca
Umilak
Firewalker
Tall Eagle
The White Buffalo
Crazy Horse/Worm
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
The Interpreter (William Halsey)
Insignificance
Elevator Attendant
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | That's Insignificance MOVIE | Self |
| 1999 | Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales MOVIE | Self (archive footage) |
| 1987 | The Gunfighters MOVIE | Train Passenger |
| 1986 | Firewalker MOVIE | Tall Eagle |
| 1986 | Johnny Appleseed MOVIE | Chief |
| 1986 | Roanoak MOVIE | Wingina |
| 1986 | Roanoak TV | Wingina |
| 1986 | Poltergeist II: The Other Side MOVIE | Taylor |
| 1985 | Tall Tales & Legends TV | Chief |
| 1985 | Insignificance MOVIE | Elevator Attendant |