Will Sampson
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.
Acting
Movie
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
as Chief Bromden
1975
Movie
The Outlaw Josey Wales
as Ten Bears
1976
Movie
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
as Taylor
1986
Movie
Orca
as Umilak
1977
Movie
Firewalker
as Tall Eagle
1986
Movie
The White Buffalo
as Crazy Horse/Worm
1977
Movie
Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
as The Interpreter (William Halsey)
1976
Movie
Insignificance
as Elevator Attendant
1985
Movie
Crazy Mama
as Indian at Trading Post
1975
TV
Tall Tales & Legends
as Chief
1985
TV
From Here to Eternity
as Cpl. Cheney
1979
Movie
The Hunted Lady
as Uncle George
1977
Movie
The Gunfighters
as Train Passenger
1987
TV
The Yellow Rose
as John Stronghart
1983
Movie
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
as Clarence's Father
1980
TV
From Here to Eternity
as Sgt. Cheney
1980
TV
Wildside
1985
TV
The Mystic Warrior
as Wambli
1984
Movie
Fish Hawk
as Fish Hawk
1980
Movie
Relentless
as Sam Watchman
1977
Movie
Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales
as Self (archive footage)
1999
Movie
Standing Tall
as Lonny Moon
1978
Movie
Roanoak
as Wingina
1986
Movie
The Great Spirit Within the Hole
as Narrator
1983