Will Sampson

Birth Name:

Will Sampson

Birth Place:

Okmulgee, Oklahoma, United States

Profession

Actor

Helped to establish the American Indian Film Institute in 1979 and founded the American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts in 1983
Served in the U․S․ Navy, where he learned to fly a plane even though he was never an official Navy pilot
Was nominated for a Genie Award for Best Performance by a Foreign Actor for "Fish Hawk" in 1980
Started out as an artist and a rodeo circuit worker before pursuing an acting career
Best known for his role as Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and as Ten Bears in "The Outlaw Josey Wales․"
Got his role in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" after he was noticed at an art show for his imposing height
His painting of the Muscogee Ribbon Dance is on display in the Creek Council House Museum in Okmulgee, Oklahoma

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