Will Sampson

• Name — Will Sampson • Height — 6 ft 7 in • Birth Name — William Sampson Jr. • Born — 27 September 1933 • Birthplace — Okmulgee, Oklahoma, U.S. • Died — 3 June 1987 • Place of death — Houston, Texas, U.S. • Resting Place — Graves Creek Cemetery, Hitchita, Oklahoma • Citizenship — * United States • Muscogee Nation • Occupation — Painter, actor, and rodeo performer • Years Active — 1975–1987

Sampson was born in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to William "Wiley" Sampson Sr. and Mabel Sampson (née Lewis). He and his family were members of the Muscogee Nation.

Sampson competed in rodeos for about 20 years. His specialty was bronco busting, and he was on the rodeo circuit when One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas were looking for a large Native American man to play the role of Chief Bromden. Sampson stood 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) 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. Sampson's only prior acting experience was as an extra in the B-movie Crazy Mama.

Sampson's most notable roles were as Chief Bromden in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and as Chief Ten Bears The Outlaw Josey Wales and 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, 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 (such as Wes Studi and Randolph Mantooth) have appeared in stage productions. He also played Crazy Horse in The White Buffalo with Charles Bronson and the archetypal Elevator Attendant in Nicolas Roeg's 1985 film, Insignificance.

Sampson was a visual artist. His large painting depicting the Ribbon Dance of the Muscogee (Creek) 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. Sampson created a series of paintings entitled Escape of the Winged Mind that depicts life on the American Frontier. One painting in particular is called Buffalo Kill and can be found featured in the book Beyond Cuckoo's Nest: The Art and Life of William Sampson, Jr. His works have sold in auction houses and galleries, including the Pierson Gallery.

Sampson Jr. had at least five children: William Lance Sampson Junior who died after driving drunk on the reservation, Samsoche "Sam" and Lumhe "Micco" Sampson (of the Sampson Brothers Duo), actor Timothy "Tim" James Sampson, and Robert Benjamin Sampson. The Sampson Brothers Duo are known for their traditional fancy and grass dances. His son Robert was murdered in Tulsa in 2013.

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, he died on June 3, 1987, of post-operative kidney failure. Sampson was 53 years old.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1977 — Relentless — Sam Watchman — TV movie • The Hunted Lady — Uncle George • 1978 — Standing Tall — Lonny Moon • 1978–79 — Vega$ — Harlon Two-Leaf — 6 episodes • 1979 — From Here to Eternity — Sgt. Cheney — Miniseries • 1980 — Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story — Clarence's Father — TV movie • 1982 — Born to the Wind — Painted Bear — 4 episodes • 1982 — The Great Spirit within the Hole — Narrator — Twin Cities Public Television • 1983–84 — The Yellow Rose — John Strongheart — 7 episodes • 1984 — The Mystic Warrior — Evan Freed — Miniseries • 1985 — Wildside — Fake Sitting Bull — Episode: "Buffalo Who?" • 1986 — Roanoak — Wingina — Miniseries • Tall Tales & Legends — Chief — Episode: "Johnny Appleseed" • 1987 — The Gunfighters — Train Passenger — TV movie