Wesley "Wes" Studi (born December 17, 1947) is an award-winning full-blood Native American actor and film producer from Nofire Hollow in the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma, and who has won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Native Americans in film.
He has appeared in Academy Award-winning films, such as Dances with Wolves (1990), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), and the Academy Award-nominated films Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) and The New World (2005). He is also known for portraying Sagat in Street Fighter (1994) and appeared in the NBC series Kings and in Avatar (2009).
Studi was born Wesley Studi in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, a rural area in Tahlequah named after his mother's family. He is the son of Maggie Studie, a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand.Until he attended grade school, he spoke only Cherokee at home
Studi became politically active and participated in the Wounded Knee Incident at Pine Ridge Reservation in 1973.
He taught Cherokee language and syllabary and helped found a Cherokee-language newspaper.
He has appeared in Academy Award-winning films, such as Dances with Wolves (1990), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), and the Academy Award-nominated films Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) and The New World (2005). He is also known for portraying Sagat in Street Fighter (1994) and appeared in the NBC series Kings and in Avatar (2009).
Studi was born Wesley Studi in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, a rural area in Tahlequah named after his mother's family. He is the son of Maggie Studie, a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand.Until he attended grade school, he spoke only Cherokee at home
Studi became politically active and participated in the Wounded Knee Incident at Pine Ridge Reservation in 1973.
He taught Cherokee language and syllabary and helped found a Cherokee-language newspaper.
Geronimo: An American Legend
Our guy stars in this biopic of the great Apache rebel, directed by master of the Western Walter Hill from a script by John Milius. Studi shines as a proud warrior unwilling to accept a life of subjugation and boredom on a newly established reservation. He rallies his people around him and wins the admiration of even his bitterest enemies, including pursuing soldiers played by Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman and Matt Damon.
Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner’s passion project follows a traumatized Civil War soldier (Costner) who wins the respect of a tribe of Sioux while assigned to a remote outpost in Indian country. A young Wes Studi makes his first major film appearance as the fiercest member of a party of Pawnee warriors who scalp a passing Union messenger, leaving Costner’s character alone at his new post without reinforcements for the duration of his stay.
Avatar
James Cameron’s ultimate blockbuster epic has been called a conservationist parable, with Sam Worthington’s paraplegic soldier infiltrating a planet of intelligent, humanoid aliens called Na’vi to search for deposits of a valuable fossil fuel. Studi anchors the alien culture as Eytukan, leader of the Na’vi clan with which the human intruder spends most of his time, alongside mate and spiritual leader Mo’at (C.C.H. Pounder).
Comanche Moon
Comanche Moon
The New World
Studi plays Opechancanough, Pocahontas’s uncle who accompanies the young princess on an early visit to England.
The Only Good Indian
Studi starred in this 2009 drama about a Cherokee bounty hunter (Studi) tasked with tracking down a young runaway taken from the Kickapoo tribe and forced to assimilate into white Kansas society in the early 20th century.
Call of the Wild
The Last of the Mohicans
His previous collaboration with director Michael Mann found Studi taking a more prominent role as the treacherous Huron guide Magua, who leads an English family into an ambush during the French and Indian War and later seeks vengeance after his own family is caught in the crossfire. Magua makes an unforgettable antagonist for adoptive Mohican Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his father Chingachgook.
Seraphim Falls
This Western revenge movie focuses on a former Union general (Pierce Brosnan) targeted by killers after an old war-time enemy officer (Liam Neeson) places a bounty on his head. Studi stands out as a mystical-minded desert dweller named Charon who charges passersby to drink from his watering hole and dispenses mysterious wisdom.
The Broken Chain
Miracle at Sage Creek
Super acteur , et bel homme... Bon anniversaire !
Happy Birthday from a fan in Finland :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhYW4WuRBac -- Happy Birthday Song.
Happy Birthday Mr Studi. B-)
Happy Birthday to a wonderful man.
Ulihelisdi nitsadetiya
Happy Birthday to a very talented man whom I have seen in movies and programsore often than I realized. Keep on keeping on!
Happy Birthday to a very talented man whom I have seen in movies and programsore often than I realized. Keep on keeping on!
I got his autograph in San Francisco. So sweet.
We have always enjoyed seeing you in the movies. I wish Hollywood would start making more Western movies. Hope to see you in more movies.
Happy Birthday,I hope that you will continue to act in future Native American films,I like yur movie roles.
Happy Birthday to a man who has given me many hours of enjoyment. I'd pay to hear you read the phone book! A cousin of sorts (Cherokee/Sottish)
You have always been my favorite actor. Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Wes! From your old friend Little Bear at Jacob's Well! You are my favorite actor! Love everything you have done!
Mitakuye Oyasin!
Happy Birthday Mr. Studi!
Agwohiyuha ulihelisdi jadetiyvhv'i.... ale gejatohidagwu gesv'i. Blessings for many more and have a Ulihelisdi DANISDAYOHIHV'I!!!!
Happy Birthday from virginia.
Happy birthday from Oklahoma Choctaw
Also:
Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn - played by Wes Studi - is a fictional character created by the twentieth century American mystery writer Tony Hillerman.
Wes Studi is one of two officers of the Navajo Tribal Police in three of the Tony Hillerman novels - Skinwalkers, Coyote Waits, and A Thief of Time - which were adapted for television.
Wes Studi is one of two officers of the Navajo Tribal Police.
We in Arizona, are proud of your Oklahoma heritage, Wes. I've seen most of your films, including the Tony Hillerman series on Netflix - they're outstanding! Sandie and I (Tucson) hope you have it within you to do more of them.
Congratulations on your awesome achievements from Looksfarwoman...
Happy belated Birthday Mr.Studi, & Many More
https://youtu.be/d8bMQvMMRJY
�� Happy Birthday �� Etowahchutke tribe Florida
Happy Birthday love ya man
You played the most frightening Indian in The Last of the Mohicans. So that means you are a great actor. Judith
Has my respect as a native American actor and a great bloke, Happy Birthday from an old Aussie fella
Happy Birthday from a fan who has always admired you very much.
Well deserved brother friend. Wakan Tanka niya was'te pelo. Michael Red Shirt
His work as Joe Leaphorn in the Tony Hillerman adaptations by PBS is also outstanding.
Happy Birthday 2 Uuu Mr. Studi. "Wakan Tanka niya was'te pelo." Your character portayal on PBS was wonderful, thank you.
like his work,.
Hugs from Estonia!
Happy Birthday! You have always been one of my favorite actors, even though you about scared me 'to death' while watching that most wonderful film, "
The
Last of the Mohegans'.
Happy Birthday to you!You‘re a great actor and human!