Will Sampson
Will Sampson
Biography
Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native American actor and artist. Mr. Sampson, a Muscogee (Creek) Native American, was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and was an imposing 6' 7" (2.01 m) tall and also wore size 18 EEEE 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.
Known For
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
27
Gender
Male
Birthday
1933-09-26 (92 years old)
Place of Birth
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Acting

1987

The Gunfighters as Train Passenger

1986

Firewalker as Tall Eagle

1986

Johnny Appleseed as Chief

1986

Roanoak as Wingina

1985

Tall Tales & Legends as Chief

1985

Wildside as Not available

1985

Insignificance as Elevator Attendant

1984

The Mystic Warrior as Wambli

1983

The Yellow Rose as John Stronghart

1980

Fish Hawk as Fish Hawk

1980

From Here to Eternity as Sgt. Cheney

1980

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story as Clarence's Father

1980

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story as Clarence's Father

1979

From Here to Eternity as Cpl. Cheney

1978

Standing Tall as Lonny Moon

1977

Orca as Umilak

1977

The White Buffalo as Crazy Horse/Worm

1977

The Hunted Lady as Uncle George

1977

Relentless as Sam Watchman

1976

The Outlaw Josey Wales as Ten Bears

1975

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as Chief Bromden

1975

Crazy Mama as Indian at Trading Post