Wes Studi
| Wes Studi | |
|---|---|
 Studi at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, December 7, 2008 |
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| Born | Wesley Studie December 17, 1947 Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse | Maura Dhu |
Wesley "Wes" Studi (born December 17, 1947) is a Cherokee actor, who has earned notability for his portrayal of Native Americans in film.[1][2] He has appeared in well-received Academy Award-winning films, such as Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves, Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans (1992), the award-winning Geronimo: An American Legend (1993)[3] and the Academy Award-nominated film The New World (2005). He most recently portrayed General Linus Abner (an analogue to the biblical Abner) in the NBC series Kings, and Eytukan in James Cameron's box office blockbuster Avatar.
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[edit] Early life and education
Studi was born Wesley Studie in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, the son of Maggie, a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand.[4] Studi was schooled at Chilocco Indian Agricultural School in Northern Oklahoma. Until he attended grade school, he spoke only Cherokee. In 1967, he was drafted into the Army and served 18 months in Vietnam. After his discharge, Studi studied at Tulsa Junior College.
[edit] Career
Studi became an actor. He is best known for his roles as brave and ruthless Indians, such as the Pawnee warrior in Dances with Wolves, and Magua in The Last of the Mohicans (1992).[5][6]
A year later, he was cast with Eric Schweig for TNT's film The Broken Chain which was shot in Virginia. In 1993 Studi had the lead in Geronimo: An American Legend.[7] He showed a talent for comedy as the "terribly mysterious" superhero Sphynx in the 1999 film Mystery Men. In 2002, Studi brought to life the legendary character Lt. Joe Leaphorn, for a series of PBS movies based on Tony Hillerman's novels and produced by Robert Redford.
In 2005, Studi portrayed a character based on the Powhatan chief Opechancanough in The New World. The 2005 Academy Award-nominated film was directed by Terrence Malick.
On April 20, 2009 Studi appeared as Major Ridge in Trail of Tears, the third episode of We Shall Remain,[8] a ground-breaking mini-series that establishes Native history as an essential part of American history, in PBS's acclaimed series American Experience. He spoke his native Cherokee throughout his performance. Also in 2009, Studi appeared in James Cameron's science fiction epic Avatar, as Eytukan, the chieftain of a Na'vi tribe called the Omaticaya clan.
[edit] Honors
- Studi won a Western Heritage Award (shared with cast and crew) in 1994 for Geronimo: An American Legend.[7]
- 2005, The New World was nominated for an Academy Award.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Powwow Highway | Buff | |
| 1990 | Dances with Wolves | Toughest Pawnee | |
| 1991 | The Doors | Indian in Desert | |
| 1992 | The Last of the Mohicans | Magua | |
| 1993 | Geronimo: An American Legend | Geronimo | (had a part in the Ned Blessing t.v. series) |
| 1993 | The Broken Chain | Seth / Chief / Speaker for the Tribes | |
| 1994 | Street Fighter | Victor Sagat | |
| 1995 | Lone Justice 2 | One Horse | |
| Heat | Detective Casals | ||
| Streets of Laredo | (Famous Shoes)Indian friend of Pea Eye | TV | |
| 1996 | The Killing Jar | Cameron | |
| 1997 | Crazy Horse | Red Cloud | TV |
| 1998 | Deep Rising | Hanover | |
| The Horse Whisperer | parks guard | ||
| Soundman | Terry Leonard | ||
| 1999 | Mystery Men | The Sphinx | |
| 2001 | Ice Planet | Commander Trager | |
| Christmas in the Clouds | Bingo Caller | ||
| Road to Redemption | Frank Lightfoot | ||
| 2002 | Undisputed | Mingo Pace | |
| Skinwalkers | Lt. Joe Leaphorn | ||
| 2003 | Edge of America | Cuch | |
| The Ugly One | Father Mike | ||
| Coyote Waits | Lt. Joe Leaphorn | ||
| 2004 | Echoes from Juniper Canyon | Grandpa | Voice |
| A Thief of Time | Lt. Joe Leaphorn | ||
| 2005 | Into the West | Black Kettle | |
| Animal | Creeper | Voice | |
| Miracle at Sage Creek | Chief Thomas | ||
| The New World | Opechancanough | ||
| 2006 | Three Priests | Ben | |
| 2007 | Seraphim Falls | Charon | |
| Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee | Wovoka | ||
| 2008 | Comanche Moon | Buffalo Hump | TV |
| Older Than America | Richard Two Rivers | ||
| 2009 | Avatar | Eytukan | |
| Trail of Tears | Major Ridge | ||
| Kings | General Linus Abner | ||
| The Only Good Indian | Sam Franklin (main character) | Executive Producer | |
| 2011 | Hell on Wheels | Chief Many Horses | TV |
[edit] References
- ^ Galbraith, Jane (1993-12-14). "Q&A WITH WES STUDI : 'I Came Into the Business at the Right Time'". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1993-12-14/entertainment/ca-1832_1_wes-studi. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ "Actor Champions Indian Heritage". Orlando Sentinel. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-12-22/lifestyle/9312210846_1_geronimo-wes-studi-tnt-movie. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ National Cowboy Museum official site, retrieved February 7, 2008
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Wes `Geronimo') Studi Wary Of Political Correctness". Chicago Tribune. 1993-12-16. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-12-16/features/9312160166_1_political-correctness-cherokee-wes-studi. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ "YELLING GERONIMO! WES STUDI'S FILM AND TV ROLES ALLOW HIM TO WALK IN HIS ANCESTORS' SHOES". Chicago Tribune. 1993-12-19. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1993-12-19/entertainment/9312190158_1_geronimo-iroquois-confederation-wes-studi. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
- ^ a b National Cowboy Museum official site, retrieved February 7, 2008.
- ^ PBS's We Shall Remain
[edit] External links
- Wes Studi's official website
- Wes Studi at the Internet Movie Database
- Wes Studi's biography at Nativenetworks, retrieved February 7, 2008
- 2006 interview with Wes Studi (Interview with Jon Niccum)
- 1947 births
- Actors from Oklahoma
- American film actors
- American military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Cherokee people
- Living people
- Native American actors
- Native American actors who performed in a Native American language
- Native American writers
- People from Cherokee County, Oklahoma
- United States Army soldiers
