Will Sampson

A Native American actor of the Creek Nation, Sampson's "big break" came from his memorable role in _One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)_ (qv) opposite 'Jack Nicholson' (qv). He was also starred opposite 'Clint Eastwood' (qv) in the western _The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)_ (qv). He had supporting roles in _Orca (1977)_ (qv), _The White Buffalo (1977)_ (qv) and _Fish Hawk (1979)_ (qv). In 1986, he co-starred in _Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)_ (qv) 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.::Blythe379@cs.com