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Will Sampson

Acting Born Sep 26, 1933 Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA 24 credits

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.

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Known for

Film

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

as Chief Bromden

Tall Tales & Legends

as Chief
Film

The Outlaw Josey Wales

as Ten Bears
Film

Poltergeist II: The Other Side

as Taylor

Wildside

1985
Film

Firewalker

as Tall Eagle

The Boat

as Elevator Attendant

Full filmography

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) as Chief Bromden
  • Tall Tales & Legends (1985) as Chief
  • The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) as Ten Bears
  • The Yellow Rose (1983) as John Stronghart
  • Orca (1977) as Umilak
  • From Here to Eternity (1979) as Cpl. Cheney
  • Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) as Taylor
  • Wildside (1985)
  • Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) as Clarence's Father
  • The White Buffalo (1977) as Crazy Horse/Worm
  • From Here to Eternity (1980) as Sgt. Cheney
  • Firewalker (1986) as Tall Eagle
  • The Mystic Warrior (1984) as Wambli
  • Crazy Mama (1975) as Indian at Trading Post
  • Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976) as The Interpreter (William Halsey)
  • Roanoak (1986) as Wingina
  • Insignificance (1985) as Elevator Attendant
  • Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) as Clarence's Father
  • Standing Tall (1978) as Lonny Moon
  • Johnny Appleseed (1986) as Chief
  • The Gunfighters (1987) as Train Passenger
  • Born to the Wind (1981) as Painted Bear
  • Fish Hawk (1980) as Fish Hawk
  • The Hunted Lady (1977) as Uncle George