Wes Studi
Encyclopedia
Wesley "Wes" Studi is a Cherokee
actor, who has earned notability for his portrayal of Native Americans
in film. 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
, the award-winning Geronimo: An American Legend
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.
, the son of Maggie, a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand. 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
.
, and Magua
in The Last of the Mohicans
(1992).
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
. 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 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
, a ground breaking mini-series that establishes Native history as an essential part of American history from 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.
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
actor, who has earned notability for his portrayal of Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in film. He has appeared in well-received Academy Award-winning films, such as Kevin Costner's
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
Dances with Wolves
Dances with Wolves
Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic western film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. It is a film adaptation of the 1988 book of the same name by Michael Blake and tells the story of a Union Army Lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a military post, and his dealings with a...
, Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film)
The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992 historical epic film set in 1757 during the French and Indian War and produced by Morgan Creek Pictures. It was directed by Michael Mann and based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel of the same name, although it owes more to George B. Seitz's 1936 film adaptation...
, the award-winning Geronimo: An American Legend
Geronimo: An American Legend
Geronimo: An American Legend is a 1993 film, starring Wes Studi as Geronimo, Jason Patric as 1st Lt. Charles B. Gatewood, Gene Hackman as Brig. Gen. George Crook, Robert Duvall as Chief of Scouts Al Sieber, and Matt Damon as 2nd Lt. Britton Davis. The film was directed by Walter Hill from a...
and the Academy Award-nominated film The New World (2005). He most recently portrayed General Linus Abner (an analogue to the biblical Abner
Abner
In the Book of Samuel, Abner , is first cousin to Saul and commander-in-chief of his army...
) in the NBC series Kings
Kings (U.S. TV series)
Kings is an American television drama series which aired on NBC. The series' narrative is loosely based on the Biblical story of King David, but set in a kingdom that culturally and technologically resembles the present-day United States....
, and Eytukan in James Cameron
James Cameron
James Francis Cameron is a Canadian-American film director, film producer, screenwriter, editor, environmentalist and inventor...
's box office blockbuster Avatar.
Early life and education
Studi was born Wesley Studie in Nofire Hollow, OklahomaTahlequah, Oklahoma
Tahlequah is a city in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States located at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. It was founded as a capital of the original Cherokee Nation in 1838 to welcome those Cherokee forced west on the Trail of Tears. The city's population was 15,753 at the 2010 census. It...
, the son of Maggie, a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand. Studi was schooled at Chilocco Indian Agricultural School
Chilocco Indian Agricultural School
Chilocco Indian School was an agricultural school for Native Americans located in north-central Oklahoma from 1884 to 1980. It was located approximately 20 miles north of Ponca City, Oklahoma and seven miles north of Newkirk, Oklahoma, near the Kansas border....
in Northern Oklahoma. Until he attended grade school, he spoke only Cherokee
Cherokee language
Cherokee is an Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee people which uses a unique syllabary writing system. It is the only Southern Iroquoian language that remains spoken. Cherokee is a polysynthetic language.-North American etymology:...
. In 1967, he was drafted into the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and served 18 months in Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. After his discharge, Studi studied at Tulsa Junior College
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa Community College, formerly known as Tulsa Junior College, was founded in 1970 to serve Tulsa and the surrounding community. It is the largest two-year college in Oklahoma and serves approximately 30,000 students per semester in credit and continuing education classes...
.
Career
Studi became an actor and is best known for his roles as both brave and ruthless Indians, such as the Pawnee warrior in Dances with WolvesDances with Wolves
Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic western film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. It is a film adaptation of the 1988 book of the same name by Michael Blake and tells the story of a Union Army Lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a military post, and his dealings with a...
, and Magua
Magua
Magua is a fictional Huron Indian chief and the main villain in the novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. This historical novel is set at the time of the French and Indian War...
in The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film)
The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992 historical epic film set in 1757 during the French and Indian War and produced by Morgan Creek Pictures. It was directed by Michael Mann and based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel of the same name, although it owes more to George B. Seitz's 1936 film adaptation...
(1992).
A year later, he was cast with Eric Schweig
Eric Schweig
Eric Schweig is a First Nations actor best known for his role as Chingachgook's son Uncas in The Last of the Mohicans .-Early life:...
for TNT
Turner Network Television
Turner Network Television is an American cable television channel created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner...
's film The Broken Chain which was shot in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. In 1993 Studi had the lead in Geronimo: An American Legend
Geronimo: An American Legend
Geronimo: An American Legend is a 1993 film, starring Wes Studi as Geronimo, Jason Patric as 1st Lt. Charles B. Gatewood, Gene Hackman as Brig. Gen. George Crook, Robert Duvall as Chief of Scouts Al Sieber, and Matt Damon as 2nd Lt. Britton Davis. The film was directed by Walter Hill from a...
. He showed a talent for comedy as the "terribly mysterious" superhero Sphynx in the 1999 film Mystery Men
Mystery Men
Mystery Men is a 1999 comedy film based on a Dark Horse comic book series feature in Flaming Carrot Comics by Bob Burden, directed by TV commercial director Kinka Usher. It stars William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, and Hank Azaria as a trio of lesser superheroes with fairly unimpressive superpowers who...
. In 2002, Studi brought to life the legendary character Lt. Joe Leaphorn
Joe Leaphorn
Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is a fictional character created by American mystery writer Tony Hillerman, one of two officers of the Navajo Tribal Police that feature in a number of novels. The other officer is Jim Chee.- Profile :...
, for a series of PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
movies based on Tony Hillerman
Tony Hillerman
Tony Hillerman was an award-winning American author of detective novels and non-fiction works best known for his Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels...
's novels and produced by Robert Redford
Robert Redford
Charles Robert Redford, Jr. , better known as Robert Redford, is an American actor, film director, producer, businessman, environmentalist, philanthropist, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival. He has received two Oscars: one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People, and one for Lifetime...
.
In 2005, Studi portrayed a character based on Powhatan
Powhatan
The Powhatan is the name of a Virginia Indian confederation of tribes. It is estimated that there were about 14,000–21,000 of these native Powhatan people in eastern Virginia when the English settled Jamestown in 1607...
chief Opechancanough
Opchanacanough
Opechancanough or Opchanacanough was a tribal chief of the Powhatan Confederacy of what is now Virginia in the United States, and its leader from sometime after 1618 until his death in 1646. His name meant "He whose Soul is White" in the Algonquian language...
in The New World. The 2005 Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-nominated film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
was directed by Terrence Malick
Terrence Malick
Terrence Frederick Malick is a U.S. film director, screenwriter, and producer. In a career spanning almost four decades, Malick has directed five feature films....
.
On April 20, 2009 Studi appeared as Major Ridge
Major Ridge
Major Ridge, The Ridge was a Cherokee Indian member of the tribal council, a lawmaker, and a leader. He was a veteran of the Chickamauga Wars, the Creek War, and the First Seminole War.Along with Charles R...
in Trail of Tears, the third episode of We Shall Remain
We Shall Remain (documentary)
We Shall Remain is a five-part, 7.5 hour documentary series about the history of Native Americans spanning the 1600s to the 1900s. It was a collaborative effort with several different directors, writers and producers working on each episode, including directors Chris Eyre, Ric Burns and Stanley...
, a ground breaking mini-series that establishes Native history as an essential part of American history from PBS's acclaimed series American Experience
American Experience
American Experience is a television program airing on the Public Broadcasting Service Public television stations in the United States. The program airs documentaries, many of which have won awards, about important or interesting events and people in American history...
. 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.
Honors
- Studi won a Western Heritage Award (shared with cast and crew) in 1994 for Geronimo: An American LegendGeronimo: An American LegendGeronimo: An American Legend is a 1993 film, starring Wes Studi as Geronimo, Jason Patric as 1st Lt. Charles B. Gatewood, Gene Hackman as Brig. Gen. George Crook, Robert Duvall as Chief of Scouts Al Sieber, and Matt Damon as 2nd Lt. Britton Davis. The film was directed by Walter Hill from a...
.
- 2005, The New World was nominated for an Academy Award.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Powwow Highway Powwow Highway Powwow Highway is a 1989 comedic road movie based on a novel by David Seals. It features A Martinez, Gary Farmer, and Amanda Wyss. Wes Studi and Graham Greene, who were relatively unknown actors at the time, have small supporting roles.-Plot:... |
Buff | |
| 1990 | Dances with Wolves Dances with Wolves Dances with Wolves is a 1990 epic western film directed by and starring Kevin Costner. It is a film adaptation of the 1988 book of the same name by Michael Blake and tells the story of a Union Army Lieutenant who travels to the American frontier to find a military post, and his dealings with a... |
Toughest Pawnee | |
| 1991 | The Doors The Doors (film) The Doors is a 1991 biopic about the 1960s-1970s rock band of the same name which emphasizes the life of its lead singer, Jim Morrison. It was directed by Oliver Stone, and stars Val Kilmer as Morrison, Meg Ryan as Pamela Courson , Kyle MacLachlan as Ray Manzarek, Frank Whaley as Robby Krieger,... |
Indian in Desert | |
| 1992 | The Last of the Mohicans The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film) The Last of the Mohicans is a 1992 historical epic film set in 1757 during the French and Indian War and produced by Morgan Creek Pictures. It was directed by Michael Mann and based on James Fenimore Cooper's novel of the same name, although it owes more to George B. Seitz's 1936 film adaptation... |
Magua Magua Magua is a fictional Huron Indian chief and the main villain in the novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. This historical novel is set at the time of the French and Indian War... |
|
| 1993 | Geronimo: An American Legend Geronimo: An American Legend Geronimo: An American Legend is a 1993 film, starring Wes Studi as Geronimo, Jason Patric as 1st Lt. Charles B. Gatewood, Gene Hackman as Brig. Gen. George Crook, Robert Duvall as Chief of Scouts Al Sieber, and Matt Damon as 2nd Lt. Britton Davis. The film was directed by Walter Hill from a... |
Geronimo Geronimo Geronimo was a prominent Native American leader of the Chiricahua Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States for their expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades during the Apache Wars. Allegedly, "Geronimo" was the name given to him during a Mexican incident... |
(had a part in the Ned Blessing t.v. series) |
| 1993 | The Broken Chain | Seth / Chief / Speaker for the Tribes | |
| 1994 | Street Fighter Street Fighter (film) Street Fighter is a 1994 American action film written and directed by Steven E. de Souza. It is based loosely on the same-titled video games produced by Capcom, and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Raul Julia, along with supporting performances by Byron Mann, Damian Chapa, Kylie Minogue, Ming-Na... |
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 Crazy Horse (film) Crazy Horse is a 1996 film based on the true story of Crazy Horse directed by John Irvin. It stars Michael Greyeyes as the titular role, Ned Beatty as Dr... |
Red Cloud Red Cloud Red Cloud , was a war leader and the head Chief of the Oglala Lakota . His reign was from 1868 to 1909... |
TV |
| 1998 | Deep Rising Deep Rising Deep Rising is a 1998 action horror film directed by Stephen Sommers. It was distributed by Hollywood Pictures and Cinergi Pictures, and was released in the United States on January 30, 1998.-Plot:... |
Hanover | |
| The Horse Whisperer The Horse Whisperer The Horse Whisperer is a 1998 American drama film directed by and starring Robert Redford, based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nicholas Evans... |
parks guard | ||
| Soundman | Terry Leonard | ||
| 1999 | Mystery Men Mystery Men Mystery Men is a 1999 comedy film based on a Dark Horse comic book series feature in Flaming Carrot Comics by Bob Burden, directed by TV commercial director Kinka Usher. It stars William H. Macy, Ben Stiller, and Hank Azaria as a trio of lesser superheroes with fairly unimpressive superpowers who... |
The Sphinx | |
| 2001 | Ice Planet | Commander Trager | |
| Christmas in the Clouds | Bingo Caller | ||
| Road to Redemption Road to Redemption Road to Redemption is a 2008 sports documentary presented by Nike that follows the Men's USA Basketball Team as it prepares for the Beijing Olympics. The documentary includes behind-the-scenes footage of the team, how they train, and what to expect at the Olympics. There are five episodes,... |
Frank Lightfoot | ||
| 2002 | Undisputed | Mingo Pace | |
| Skinwalkers Skinwalkers (2002 film) Skinwalkers is a 2002 mystery television film based on the novel by Tony Hillerman, one of a series of mysteries set against contemporary Navajo life in the Southwest. It starred Adam Beach as Jim Chee and Wes Studi as Joe Leaphorn... |
Lt. Joe Leaphorn | ||
| 2003 | Edge of America | Cuch | |
| The Ugly One | Father Mike | ||
| Coyote Waits Coyote Waits Coyote Waits is a novel by Tony Hillerman. It was adapted as a TV film, which aired in 2003.-Coyote Waits :The plot involves rock formation vandalism, a dead policeman, an elderly Navajo accused of his murder, a bottle of expensive scotch, and a book on Navajo witchcraft beliefs.This book... |
Lt. Joe Leaphorn | ||
| 2004 | Echoes from Juniper Canyon | Grandpa | Voice |
| A Thief of Time A Thief of Time A Thief of Time is the eighth novel by author Tony Hillerman.The plot involves the Anasazi, a missing archeologist, a stolen backhoe, and people who are termed "pot hunters".Characters include Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.... |
Lt. Joe Leaphorn | ||
| 2005 | Into the West Into the West (TV miniseries) Into the West is a 2005 miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks, with six two-hour episodes . The series was first broadcast in the U.S. on Turner Network Television on six Fridays starting on June 10, 2005... |
Black Kettle Black Kettle Chief Black Kettle was a leader of the Southern Cheyenne after 1854, who led efforts to resist American settlement from Kansas and Colorado territories. He was a peacemaker who accepted treaties to protect his people. He survived the Third Colorado Cavalry's Sand Creek Massacre on the Cheyenne... |
|
| Animal Animal (2005 film) Animal is a 2005 direct-to-video film starring Ving Rhames, Terrence Howard, Jim Brown and Chazz Palminteri. It was directed by David J. Burke and written by David C. Johnson. The film's profits were the subject of a lawsuit against the film's distributor, DEJ Productions. The case was still active... |
Creeper | Voice | |
| Miracle at Sage Creek | Chief Thomas | ||
| The New World | Opechancanough | ||
| 2006 | Three Priests | Ben | |
| 2007 | Seraphim Falls Seraphim Falls Seraphim Falls is a 2007 American Revisionist Western film directed by television producer and director David Von Ancken in his first feature film. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Von Ancken and Abby Everett Jaques. The fictional story focuses on a bounty hunt for a Union... |
Charon | |
| Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (film) Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a 2007 television film adapted from the book of the same name by Dee Brown. The film was written by Daniel Giat, directed by Yves Simoneau and produced by HBO Films. The book on which the movie is based is a history of Native Americans in the American West in the... |
Wovoka Wovoka Wovoka , also known as Jack Wilson, was the Northern Paiute religious leader who founded the Ghost Dance movement. Wovoka means "cutter" or "wood cutter" in the Northern Paiute language.-Biography:... |
||
| 2008 | Comanche Moon Comanche Moon (TV miniseries) Comanche Moon is a television miniseries that is an adaptation of the novel of the same name. It aired on CBS beginning Sunday, January 13, and continuing Tuesday, January 15, and Wednesday, January 16, 2008.-Cast:* Val Kilmer as Inish Scull... |
Buffalo Hump | TV |
| 2009 | Avatar | Eytukan | |
| Trail of Tears | Major Ridge | ||
| Kings Kings (U.S. TV series) Kings is an American television drama series which aired on NBC. The series' narrative is loosely based on the Biblical story of King David, but set in a kingdom that culturally and technologically resembles the present-day United States.... |
General Linus Abner | ||
| The Only Good Indian The Only Good Indian The Only Good Indian is a 2009 independent feature film directed by Kevin Willmott.The film was shot almost entirely in Kansas -- the only exception being a scene at Missouri's Ha Ha Tonka State Park -- featuring locations such as the Monument Rocks and Fort Larned... |
Sam (main character) | Executive Producer |
External links
- Wes Studi's official website
- Wes Studi's biography at Nativenetworks, retrieved February 7, 2008
- 2006 interview with Wes Studi (Interview with Jon Niccum)