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.

Filmography

• 1997Completely Cuckoo
• 1987The Gunfighters — Train Passenger
• 1986Firewalker — Tall Eagle
• 1986Johnny Appleseed — Chief
• 1986Poltergeist II: The Other Side — Taylor
• Roanoak — Wingina
• 1985Insignificance — Elevator Attendant
• Tall Tales & Legends — Chief
• Wildside
• The Mystic Warrior — Wambli
• 1983The Great Spirit Within the Hole — Narrator
• The Yellow Rose — John Stronghart
• American Playhouse — Wingina, Wangina
• Born to the Wind — Painted Bear
• 1980Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story — Clarence's Father
• Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story — Clarence's Father
• 1980Fish Hawk — Fish Hawk
• From Here to Eternity — Sgt. Cheney
• From Here to Eternity — Cpl. Cheney
• 1978Standing Tall — Lonny Moon
• 1977Orca — Umilak
• 1977Relentless — Sam Watchman
• 1977The Hunted Lady — Uncle George
• 1977The White Buffalo — Crazy Horse/Worm
• 1976Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson — The Interpreter (William Halsey)
• 1976The Outlaw Josey Wales — Ten Bears
• 1975Crazy Mama — Indian at Trading Post
• 1975One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest — Chief Bromden

Appearances as themselves (2)

• 2011That's Insignificance — Self
• 1999Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales — Self (archive footage)