Will Sampson
Will Sampson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | William Sampson Jr. September 27, 1933 Okmulgee, Oklahoma,U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 1987(aged 53) |
| Resting place | Graves Creek Cemetery,Hitchita, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | Muscogee Nation |
| Occupation(s) | Painter,actor |
| Years active | 1975–1987 |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
William Sampson Jr.(September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was aMuscogee Nationpainter,actor,androdeoperformer. He is best known for his performance as the apparently deaf and muteChief Bromdenin the 1975 filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nestand asCrazy Horsein the 1977 westernThe White Buffalo,as well as his roles as Taylor inPoltergeist II: The Other Sideand Ten Bears in 1976'sThe Outlaw Josey Wales.
Life and career
[edit]William "Will" Sampson Jr., born inOkmulgee County, Oklahomato William "Wiley" Sampson Sr. and Mabel Sampson (née Lewis),[1]was a citizen of theMuscogee Nation,a tribe from theSoutheastern Woodlands.Sampson Jr. had at least five children: Samsoche "Sam" and Lumhe "Micco" Sampson (of the Sampson Brothers Duo), actor Timothy "Tim" James Sampson,[2][3]and Robert Benjamin Sampson. The Sampson Brothers Duo are known for their traditional fancy and grass dances. His son Robert was murdered in Tulsa in 2013.[4]
Rodeo performer
[edit]Sampson competed in rodeos for about 20 years. His specialty wasbronco busting,and he was on the rodeo circuit when producersSaul ZaentzandMichael Douglas— ofOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest— were looking for a large Native American to play the role of Chief Bromden. Sampson stood 6'7 "(2.01 m) tall.[5]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.[6]
Actor
[edit]Sampson's most notable roles were asChief BromdeninOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nestand as Taylor the Medicine Man in the horror filmPoltergeist II.He had a recurring role on the TV seriesVega$as Harlon Twoleaf, and starred in the moviesFish Hawk,andOrca.Sampson appeared in the production ofBlack Elk Speakswith the American Indian Theater Company inTulsa, Oklahoma,whereDavid Carradineand other Native American actors (such asWes StudiandRandolph Mantooth) have appeared in stage productions. He also playedCrazy HorseinThe White BuffalowithCharles Bronsonand the archetypal Elevator Attendant in Nicolas Roeg's 1985 film,Insignificance.
Artist
[edit]Sampson was a visual artist. His large painting depicting the Ribbon Dance of the Muscogee (Creek) is in the collection of theCreek Council House Museumin Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His artwork has been shown at theGilcrease Museumand thePhilbrook Museum of Art.[1]Sampson created a series of paintings entitled:Escape of the Winged Mindthat depicts life on the American Frontier. One painting in particular is called:Buffalo Kill;[7]and can be found featured in the bookBeyond Cuckoo's Nest: The Art and Life of William Sampson, Jr.[8]His works have sold in auction houses and galleries, including the Pierson Gallery.[9]
Death
[edit]Sampson suffered fromscleroderma,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 tomalnutrition.After undergoing a heart andlung transplantatHouston Methodist HospitalinHouston,he died on June 3, 1987, of post-operativekidneyfailure. Sampson was 53 years old.[10]He was interred at Graves Creek Cemetery inHitchita, Oklahoma.[citation needed]
Legacy
[edit]Will Sampson Road, inOkmulgee County(east of Highway 75 nearPreston, Oklahoma), is named after him.[citation needed]
During the filming ofThe White Buffalo,Sampson halted production by refusing to act when he discovered that producers had hired white actors to portray Native Americans for the film. In 1983, with assistance from his personal secretary Zoe Escobar, Sampson founded the "American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts" for Native American actors.[11][8][12][13]He also served on the registry's board of directors.[14][15]
Sampson's son Tim Sampson appeared on the FX showIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiaseason fourepisode "Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack". The episode pays homage to Sampson's work as Chief Bromden inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest;Tim plays "Tonto" after Frank (Danny DeVito) is mistaken as mentally incompetent and placed within a facility.[citation needed]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | 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
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Relentless | Sam Watchman | CBStelevision movie |
| The Hunted Lady | Uncle George | NBCtelevision movie | |
| 1978 | Standing Tall | Lonny Moon | NBC television movie |
| 1978–1979 | Vega$ | Harlon Two-Leaf | 6 episodes |
| 1979 | From Here to Eternity | Sgt. Cheney | Not to be confused with the1980 spinoff |
| 1980 | Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story | Clarence's Father | NBC television movie |
| 1982 | Born to the Wind | Painted Bear | |
| 1982 | The Great Spirit within the Hole | Narrator | Twin Cities Public Television |
| 1983–1984 | The Yellow Rose | John Strongheart | 7 episodes |
| 1984 | The Mystic Warrior | Evan Freed | ABCminiseries |
| 1985 | Wildside | Fake Sitting Bull | Episode: "Buffalo Who?" |
| 1986 | Roanoak | Wingina | Miniseries |
| Tall Tales & Legends | Chief | Episode: "Johnny Appleseed" | |
| 1987 | The Gunfighters | Train Passenger | Television movie; final film role |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Genie Awards | Best Performance by a Foreign Actor | Fish Hawk | Nominated |
Notes
[edit]- ^abSpaulding, Cathy (April 23, 2015)."Actor Will Sampson to be Honored at Checotah Art Market".Muskogee Phoenix.RetrievedNovember 1,2015.
- ^Norcross, Geoff (March 17, 2011)."Tim Sampson Revives his Father's Role in 'Cuckoo's Nest'".Oregon Public Broadcasting.Archived fromthe originalon April 3, 2019.
- ^Wilson, John (September 30, 1989)."Big Footsteps to Follow".Los Angeles Times.
- ^"TPD Homicide: West Tulsa murder 'solvable'".KOKI-TV.March 18, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2018.RetrievedMarch 26,2023.
- ^"Will Sampson, 53, Portrayed An Indian in 'Cuckoo's Nest'".The New York Times.June 4, 1987.
- ^Kleiner, Dick(August 29, 1976)."Will Sampson's Acting was Instinctive In 'Cuckoo's Nest'".Ocala Star-Banner.Newspaper Enterprise Association.
- ^Series of Paintings by Will Sampson.Escape of the Winged Mind.Notes.
- ^abEscobar, Zoe (January 1, 2011).Beyond Cuckoo's Nest: The Art and Life of William Sampson, Jr.GirlDog Publishing.ISBN9780615450322.
- ^Pierson Gallery. Will (Sonny) Sampson, (1933-1987) Muscogee Creek.
- ^"Will Sampson Dies After Transplant".Spartanburg Herald-Journal.June 4, 1987.RetrievedNovember 5,2012.
- ^Lichtenstein, Grace (June 6, 1976)."He Refuses to Be an 'Ugh‐Tonto' Indian".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 22,2020.
- ^Trammell, Robby (April 19, 1984)."Indian Philosopher's Words Will Come to Life in Play".The Daily Oklahoman.p. 228.RetrievedApril 5,2022.
- ^Bender, Ron (June 8, 1984)."Films still stereotype Indians, actor says".Rapid City Journal.p. 27.RetrievedApril 5,2022.
- ^Robb, David (November 15, 2014)."Bob Hicks, Filmmaker Who Paved Way For Native Americans In Hollywood, Dead at 80".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedAugust 19,2019.
- ^"Festival Dedicated to Will (Sonny) Sampson".Okmulgee Daily Times.December 9, 1987. p. 11.RetrievedApril 5,2022.
Bibliography
[edit]- Escobar, Zoe (2009).Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest: the Art and Life of William 'Sonny' Sampson, Jr., the Muscogee Creek Indian Cowboy, Painter and ActorGirldog Publishing, Issaquah, Washington. ISBN 978-0-615-18164-6
External links
[edit]- Will SampsonatIMDb
- Will Sampson interviews
- Will Sampson: Documentary Ensures Actor is Remembered.The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA)
- Will SampsonatFind a Grave
- The Great Spirit within The Hole,Twin Cities PBS.
- Liutova, S. N. Beyond Cuckoo's Nest, or Composing one's book (In Russ.)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
- 1933 births
- 1987 deaths
- People from Okmulgee, Oklahoma
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- Native American male actors
- Native American painters
- Male actors from Oklahoma
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation people
- Deaths from kidney failure in the United States
- Artists from Oklahoma
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century American artists
- 20th-century Native American artists
- Bronc riders
- Muscogee male artists
- Muscogee artists