Description:
A Native American actor of the Creek Nation, Sampson's "big break" came from his memorable role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) opposite Jack Nicholson. He was also starred opposite Clint Eastwood in the western The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976). He had supporting roles in Orca (1977), The White Buffalo (1977) and Fish Hawk (1979). In 1986, he co-starred in Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) as a Native American shaman. He died of complications from kidney failure and malnutrition during heart and lung replacement surgery in 1987 and was buried on the reservation where he grew up.
Birthday
September 27, 1933
Born In
Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Alternative names
Will Sampson Jr.
Height
197 cm
Spouse/Ex-
Jill Sampson (his death)
Parents
William Sampson Sr.
Relatives
Vena Mae Sampson Randall (Sibling)
Trivia
He is buried within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation boundaries. Craig T. Nelson, his co-star in Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986), happened to be passing through the area and wanted to pay his
respects. He drove around for four or five hours trying to find the cemetery
when he finally stopped at a corner store and asked where Sampson
was buried. As it turned out, the man standing next to Nelson in the
store was Sampson's cousin, and told Nelson he'd show him the spot. It
was cicada season, and Nelson remembers the buzzing was overwhelming.
He approached Sampson's grave and said something to the effect of "Hey
Will, it's Craig". Within three or four seconds, Nelson recalls, the
sound of the cicadas tapered off and stopped entirely.
Quotes
[on the film industry's portrayal of Indians] Hollywood writers and directors are still using 'em for livestock. They somehow just can't seem to bring it around to give the truth about Indians.
Trademarks
Long black hair
