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Will Sampson

  • Caption: Will Sampson
  • Description: Will Sampson died on June 3, 1987, of complications after a heart-lung transplant. He is buried in Grave Creek Indian Cemetery in the heart of Muscogee Nation.

    He once explained to a reporter, "Movies offer me a lot of time to paint." He considered himself first and foremost a Muscogee and an artist, with acting coming in a distant third. As a painter, his one man shows were well received, and his works have been exibited at the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress, and all museums across the country.

    Sampson got his first big acting break when a friend suggested he audition for the role of Chief Bromden in the movie adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel; "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". He won the role of Jack Nicholson's mute Indian friend and was an instant success when the film was released. Other movie roles followed in quick succession. (My personal favorite was his role in Poltergeist 2) In all his roles, Will insisted on playing Indians as real, multidimensional characters. Scorning the traditional Hollywood stereotypes of Indians as either noble red men or savage red skins, he played Indians as people, with a full range of complex emotions, motivations, and behaviors. Even though his methods were honored and his views sought (scriptwriters frequently consulted him about the accuracy of their Indian details), Will knew that Hollywood writers and directors had a long way to go before American Indians would be viewed as more than just cartoon caricatures. As he once scornfully explained to a "New York Times" reporter, "They're still using'em as livestock. They somehow just can't seem to bring it around to give the truth about Indians." It was to hasten the truth that Will founded, in 1983, the American Indian Registry for the Performing Arts. Its objectives were simple--To establish and develop a central registry of American Indian performers and technical personnel in the entertainment field. The registry's other services included disseminating information, offering casting assistance, and encouraging cultural accuracy.

    To further the American Indian cause, Sampson frequently spoke to schools and prisons about the plight of the contemporary Indian,and about the deep-seated prejudice he felt still existed towards his people. Recognizing that many American Indians suffered from alcoholism, Sampson also channeled a portion of his movie earnings to a California enterprise called Red Wind, which offers assistance to Indians with substance-abuse problems.
  • Actor/Actress/Director: Will Sampson
  • Movie: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
  • Id: 10007814

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  • Kronosone124
     
    hmm *i steps away from you*
    posted 0 minutes ago
     

  • FoxyNinjaKitty
     
    Jacobo, can I play wif you in the dark?
    posted 0 minutes ago
     

  • lotrmad
     
    yeah Jacob i love it lol :D
    posted 0 minutes ago
     

  • XxDaisyxX10001110101
     
    fa sho
    posted 0 minutes ago
     

  • Kronosone124
     
    Patrick u seem to like dark rooms? :S
    posted 0 minutes ago
     

  • lotrmad
     
    ill see if i can get it back Meghan :P
    posted 0 minutes ago
     

  • XxDaisyxX10001110101
     
    who doesnt pat
    posted 1 minute ago
     

  • lotrmad
     
    I love it outside in the dark nice and creepy :P
    posted 1 minute ago
     

  • FoxyNinjaKitty
     
    I want link Patrick :P
    posted 1 minute ago
     

  • XxDaisyxX10001110101
     
    yoyoyo
    posted 1 minute ago
     

  • FoxyNinjaKitty
     
    I like it inside in the dark
    posted 1 minute ago
     

  • lotrmad
     
    lol Meghan too late deleted it :P
    posted 2 minutes ago
     

  • Freepy
     
    and then she starts with the role-playing
    you belong in vid chat, scram.
    posted 2 minutes ago
     

  • lotrmad
     
    Cause i am Meghan like it out in the dark :P
    posted 2 minutes ago
     

  • XxDaisyxX10001110101
     
    lol omgee
    posted 2 minutes ago
     

  • FoxyNinjaKitty
     
    Mmm that's hot *drools*
    posted 2 minutes ago
     

  • XxDaisyxX10001110101
     
    mhmmm
    *throws peanut at Pat*
    posted 2 minutes ago
     

  • Kronosone124
     
    Patrix!
    posted 3 minutes ago
     

  • Freepy
     
    lol two fuckwits. You two should be toegether.
    posted 3 minutes ago
     

  • Kronosone124
     
    a
    posted 3 minutes ago