Will Sampson was born on September 27, 1933. He is known as an American film actor and artist. Few people know that in his youth, Will was actively involved in rodeo. However, we learn about the most interesting moments in the life of this amazing actor and artist from our article.
Childhood and youth
Sampson was born in Oklahoma, near the town of Morris. Will - purebred Muskogee (self-designation of the Native American screams). The first Native American name for Sampson is Cascana, which means “left-handed” in translation from the Muskogee. It is known that Will received an eight-year education at a local school, then went to serve in the Navy of America. When Sampson returned to his home, everything that could bring at least some kind of income became the kind of his activity.
Rodeo rider
When Will was 14 years old, he was seriously interested in a rodeo. A real Indian cowboy has more than once triumphed in competitions. It should be noted that he was engaged in his favorite business until the age of 40.
Will Sampson preferred bullrading - the most dangerous category of rodeo. This sport is to stay as long as possible on horseback on an angry bull or jump from a horse to his back, trying to knock him to the ground.
The result of this unusual hobby was a serious injury to the arm, then back. The latter entailed surgical intervention. At this, the career of the famous rodeo master ended.
Painter
From early childhood, Will Sampson, whose photo can be seen in our article, was fond of painting. It should be noted that the future actor led an itinerant lifestyle. But this did not stop him from showing his paintings at various exhibitions. Thanks to this, Will has gained universal recognition.
At the beginning of his career, Sampson worked everywhere and on everything that comes to hand. Most often, images of his native Muscogee, as well as various historical events and traditions of this Native American nation, poured on his paintings. It is worth saying that Will Sampson had a photographic memory. He could easily transmit some of the rodeo scenes that exactly corresponded to reality.
It is known that Will carried out the orders of the governor of Oklahoma, George Nye. The artist also illustrated publications such as Arizona Highways, Quota Horse, Highline Highlights, etc.
In 1951, Will Sampson received his first award as an artist. They handed it to the Philbrook Center for Painting. And in 1969 he was awarded the Okmugli Cultural Fund award in the nomination “Artistic and Spectacular Arts”. Will also received multiple awards as the most popular artist.
It is worth saying that Sampson was allowed to create within the walls of the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the Amon Carter Museum, the House of the Council of the Screams in Okmulgi, as well as the Philbrook Arts Center.
In 1960, Will served as vice president of the Oklahoma Union of Artists and director of the Okmugli Chiefs Art Gallery.
Movie star
In 1975, by a coincidence, Will fell on the casting of the American Western "Flying Over the Cuckoo's Nest." There he gets the opportunity to play a leader named Broadman. For this role, Sampson should have been nominated for an Academy Award. But at the last moment, the judges reversed their decision. The nominee then became Billy Bibbit.
Will Sampson, whose films were watched by millions of viewers around the world, was not upset then, because an even brighter film future awaited him. Unfortunately, the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” was allowed to be watched only 12 years after its release. At that time, the actor had already gone to another world. But Soviet viewers have already managed to enjoy Will's talent thanks to other interesting paintings - “Death among Icebergs” and “Indian Hawk”.
Fame
Fame for the actor came at the age of 45 years. It should be said that Will Sampson, whose height was 196 cm, was skeptical of his popularity, since he believed that not a single film in which he was shot had reached the level of his favorite painting “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest”. In addition, he considered his true recognition only painting.
Gossip
Around the actor and artist are still legendary. Rumor has it that Will possessed magical powers. Rumor has it that Sampson died precisely because he was ruined by the evil forces that he fought to save the actors of the movie Poltergeist. The picture, as the press claimed then, took the lives of several people, including the main character - a 12-year-old girl.
Personal life
Will Sampson's personal life has always been in the spotlight. It is known that the actor and artist had 9 children from different marriages. It is worth saying that Will has always been actively involved in the education of all, without exception.
Tim, Sampson's eldest son, was raised by an aunt and grandmother away from his parents. It is known that a young man tried himself in stunt. From father, the guy was given the ability to create. Tim also loves to play the acoustic guitar.
After graduation, the young man returned to his father. He, in turn, attached him to work in the background in some films. Subsequently, not without the help of his father, Tim built his film career.
Will Sampson, whose wife is still unknown to anyone, has always been proud of his children.
