Will Sampson


William Sampson Jr. was a Native American painter, actor, and rodeo performer. He is best known for his performance as the apparent deaf and mute Native American Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and as Crazy Horse in the 1977 western The White Buffalo, as well as his roles as Taylor in and Ten Bears in 1976's The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Life and career

William "Will" Sampson Jr., also known by his childhood nickname, "Sonny," a Muscogee Creek man, was born in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to William "Wiley" Sampson Sr. and Mabel Sampson. Sampson is the father of Samsoche "Sam" and Lumhe "Micco" Sampson of the Sampson Brothers Duo, actor Tim Sampson, and Destiny Sampson. They are known for their traditional fancy and grass dances, and often perform with Frank Waln, a notable Lakota hip-hop artist. On July 6, 2019, Sampson's son, Timothy "Tim" Sampson died.

Rodeo performer

Sampson competed in rodeos, for about twenty years. He was on the rodeo circuit when producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas—of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest—were looking for a large Native American to play the role of Chief Bromden. Sampson stood an imposing 6'7" tall. Rodeo announcer Mel Lambert mentioned Sampson to them, and after lengthy efforts to find him, they hired him on the strength of an interview. He had never acted before.

Actor

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 . 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. 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 have appeared in stage productions. He also played in The White Buffalo with Charles Bronson.

Artist

Sampson was an artist. His large painting depicting the Ribbon Dance of the Muscogee is in the collection of the Creek Council House Museum in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. His artwork has been shown at the Gilcrease Museum and the Philbrook Museum of Art.

Death

Sampson suffered from scleroderma, a chronic degenerative condition that affected his heart, lungs, and skin. During his lengthy illness, his weight fell from to, causing complications related to malnutrition. After undergoing a heart and lung transplant at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, he died on June 3, 1987, of post-operative kidney failure. Sampson was 53 years old. Sampson was interred at Graves Creek Cemetery in Hitchita, Oklahoma.

Legacy

Will Sampson Road, in Okmulgee County, is named after him.
During the filming of The White Buffalo, Sampson halted production by refusing to act when he discovered that producers had hired white actors to portray native Americans for the film. With assistance from his personal secretary Zoe Escobar, Sampson founded the "American Indian Registry" for native American actors. In 1983 he founded and served on the board of directors of the American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts.

Filmography

Awards and nominations