Will Sampson(1933-1987)

Play trailer1:52

Le Temple d'or (1986)

A Native American actor of the Creek Nation, Sampson's "big break" came from his memorable role in Vol au-dessus d'un nid de coucou (1975) opposite Jack Nicholson. He was also starred opposite Clint Eastwood in the western Josey Wales hors-la-loi (1976). He had supporting roles in Orca (1977), Le bison blanc (1977) and Fish Hawk (1979). In 1986, he co-starred in Poltergeist II (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.

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Alternative name
- Will Sampson Jr.
Height
- 2.01 m
Born
- September 27, 1933
- Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA
Died
- June 3, 1987
- Houston, Texas, USA(complications from heart and lung transplant surgery)
Spouse
- Jill Sampson(his death, 3 children)
Children
Parents
Relatives
Publicity listings
- 4 Articles
- 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Trivia
He is buried within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation boundaries. Craig T. Nelson, his co-star in Poltergeist II (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.