Wes Studi
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Wesley "Wes" Studi (born December 17, 1947) is an Native American actor.
Born in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, Studi was schooled on a reservation. 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.
He is best known for his roles as both brave and vicious Indians, in such roles as the Pawnee warrior in Dances With Wolves and as Magua in The Last of the Mohicans. In 2002, Studi brought to life the legendary Tony Hillerman character Lt. Joe Leaphorn, for a series of PBS movies produced by Robert Redford.
In 2005, he portrayed a character inspired by the Powhatan warrier Opechancanough in The New World, a 2005 Academy Award-nominated film directed by Terrence Malick, and starring Colin Farrell. The historical adventure is set during the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia settlement and includes other characters inspired by historical figures, notably Captain John Smith (Farrell) and Pocahontas. Much the film was shot at locations in James City County and Charles City County, not far from where the first permanent English colony in the New World was established at Jamestown, Virginia beginning on May 14, 1607.
In addition to acting, Studi is a stone carver, an author of two children's books, and plays bass in a local band.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 2006 | Three Priests | Ben | |
| 2005 | The New World | Opechancanough | |
| Miracle at Sage Creek | Chief Thomas | ||
| Animal | Creeper (voice) | ||
| 2004 | Echoes from Juniper Canyon | Grandpa (voice) | |
| 2003 | The Ugly One | Father Mike | |
| 2002 | Undisputed | Mingo Pace | |
| 2001 | Road to Redemption | Frank Lightfoot | |
| Christmas in the Clouds | Bingo Caller | ||
| Ice Planet | Commander Trager | ||
| 1999 | Mystery Men | The Sphinx | |
| 1998 | Soundman | Terry Leonard | |
| The Horse Whisperer | parks guard | ||
| Deep Rising | Hanover | ||
| 1996 | The Killing Jar (Film) | Cameron | |
| 1995 | Heat | Detective Casals | |
| Lone Justice 2 | One Horse | ||
| 1994 | Street Fighter | Victor Sagat | |
| 1993 | Geronimo: An American Legend | Geronimo | |
| 1992 | The Last of the Mohicans | Magua | |
| 1991 | The Doors | Indian in Desert | |
| 1990 | Dances with Wolves | Toughest Pawnee | |
| 1989 | Powwow Highway | Buff |
[edit] External links
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