
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$, as Harlon Twoleaf and starred in the movies Fish Hawk, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and Orca.
Will Sampson (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native-American businessman, entrepreneur, rodeo performer, actor and painter/artist. He was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and was an imposing 6' 7" (2.01 m) tall and also wore size 18 4E shoes. Sampson's most notable roles were as "Chief Bromden" in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and as "Taylor the Medicine Man" in the horror film Poltergeist II. He had a recurring role on the TV series Vega$, 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.
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/nm0760225
Wikipedia: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q537322
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That's Insignificance
Character:Self
Release Date:14/06/2011

Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales
Character:Self (archive footage)
Release Date:30/03/1999

The Gunfighters
Character:Train Passenger
Release Date:01/01/1987

Firewalker
Character:Tall Eagle
Release Date:21/11/1986

Johnny Appleseed
Character:Chief
Release Date:31/10/1986

Roanoak
Character:Wingina
Release Date:26/05/1986

Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Character:Taylor
Release Date:23/05/1986

Insignificance
Character:Elevator Attendant
Release Date:02/08/1985

The Mystic Warrior
Character:Wambli
Release Date:20/05/1984

The Great Spirit Within the Hole
Character:Narrator
Release Date:12/09/1983

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
Character:Clarence's Father
Release Date:05/11/1980

Fish Hawk
Character:Fish Hawk
Release Date:25/01/1980

Standing Tall
Character:Lonny Moon
Release Date:21/01/1978

The Hunted Lady
Character:Uncle George
Release Date:28/11/1977

Relentless
Character:Sam Watchman
Release Date:14/09/1977

Orca
Character:Umilak
Release Date:22/07/1977

The White Buffalo
Character:Crazy Horse/Worm
Release Date:01/05/1977

The Outlaw Josey Wales
Character:Ten Bears
Release Date:30/06/1976

Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson
Character:The Interpreter (William Halsey)
Release Date:24/06/1976

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Character:Chief Bromden
Release Date:19/11/1975

Crazy Mama
Character:Indian at Trading Post
Release Date:01/06/1975