Will Sampson

Died at 92

born September 26, 1933

male48 suggestions0 votes

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.

Known for

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

The Outlaw Josey Wales

Poltergeist II: The Other Side

Top Casting Suggestions

Will Sampson has been suggested to play 48 roles. Click below to see other actors suggested for each role, and vote for who you think would play the role best.

Will Sampson

Avanti

One Battle After Another (1976)

Avanti

Will Sampson

Alberto Parker

Hell or High Water (1980's)

Alberto Parker

Will Sampson

Chief Napi

Wonder Woman (1977)

Chief Napi

Will Sampson

Died in the '80s

Face Claims Sorted by the '80s

Died in the '80s

Will Sampson

Shep Proudfoot

Fargo (1976)

Shep Proudfoot

Will Sampson

John proud star

X-men (1978)

John proud star

Will Sampson

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Best Actor By Movie/ Show

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Will Sampson

Best Actor and Actress staring with every letter

Will Sampson

Sergeant 1st Class Billy Sole

Predator (1977)

Sergeant 1st Class Billy Sole

Will Sampson

Forge

X-Men: Mutants United (1983)

Forge

Will Sampson

Charles Smith

Red Dead Redemption (1970's)

Charles Smith

Will Sampson

Charles Smith

Red Dead Redemption 2 (1940s/50s)

Charles Smith

Will Sampson

Male Papa

The Shack (1987)

Male Papa

Will Sampson

Christopher Weiss

Suicide Squad (1980s)

Christopher Weiss

Will Sampson

Colonel Cutter

Antz (1975)

Colonel Cutter

Will Sampson

Slipnot

DCEU (1970s)

Slipnot

Will Sampson

Lieutenant Sammy Casals

Heat (1975)

Lieutenant Sammy Casals

Will Sampson

Ely S. Parker

Lincoln (1972)

Ely S. Parker

Will Sampson

Arlen Bitterbuck

The Green Mile (1969)

Arlen Bitterbuck

Will Sampson

Joe Lambert

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1985)

Joe Lambert

Will Sampson

T. Hawk

Street Fighter (1974)

T. Hawk

Will Sampson

Texas Ranger Alberto Parker

Hell or High Water (1976)

Texas Ranger Alberto Parker

Will Sampson

Nightwolf

Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1987 Casting)

Nightwolf

Will Sampson

Thunderbird

1970's X-Men

Thunderbird

Showing 1–24 of 33 suggestions

Will Sampson

Known for

Related Talent

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