Wes Studi - Indian Country’s leading actor

by Tara W. Pretends Eagle 1/28/2008

With countless movies and television appearances to his credit, actor, Wes Studi, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, has blazed the trail for Native Americans in the entertainment industry by becoming the most recognized Native American actor on Turtle Island.

Growing up on the in Oklahoma, Studi became fluent in both English and his Native, Cherokee language. He went to the Chilocco Indian School as a child and endured the hardships of life in Indian Country. Despite the big odds against him, Studi still took the chance of leaving everything that he knew for his shot at appearing on the big screen in Hollywood.

“I was looking for something else…to create a new life. Since I was focused on new interests, I made an effort to study acting. I took the time and money to invest in myself so I could have a profession. I needed to have a career,” said the soft-spoken, actor who began his acting career around age forty.

Studi has been in the entertainment industry for twenty-years, which unfortunately after all this time, still does not offer much more to Native American actors. And there are times when Native actors are popular and times when they are not. Fortunately and obviously, this reality has not stopped Studi from pursuing his career in acting.

In Studi’s most recent movie role, he plays the great Comanche leader, Chief Buffalo Hump in the on CBS mini-series, Comanche Moon, which was written by Academy Award and Golden Globe winners, Larry McMurty and Diana Ossana, who also served as the series’ Executive Producers.

Studi said about his role as Chief Buffalo Hump in which he only spoke Comanche, “ He was the leader of the Penateka Band of Comanche, Buffalo Hump was the elder of the group, a war leader. He led his people against the Texas Rangers where he experienced the interaction of combat. He lead the attack to Austin which lead all the way to the ocean…This is a story taken from history within their [McMurty and Ossana] story.”

Ossana, in a conference call before the premiere, described Comanche Moon as a fable, a historical fiction which is intertwined with authentic Comanche traditions. She spoke proudly about how the movie’s Comanche actors and consultant were not paid during the time they were partaking in their Comanche traditions. Such as the ceremonial preparation that takes place before an eagle feather is worn. Ossana also excitedly noted that the eagle feathers used in the movie were real, a big first for television westerns with a strong Native American genre.

Studi has appeared many films full of Native Americans themes such as: Crazy Horse, The Last of the Mohicans, Skinwalkers and Dances with Wolves. However, Mystery Man and Heat were not about Native American films. Studi believes and appreciates that he was chosen for these roles because he is an actor who happened to be Native American, not one who was chosen just because he was Native American. These two roles for Studi, were great achievements as a Native American actor

This multi-talented, actor can be found also enjoying things like, sculpting beautiful stone carvings, writing songs or strumming the his bass guitar to his wife, Maura’s vocals in their band, Fire Cats of Discord. Studi was also a member of American Indian Movement [AIM] and was at the 1973 Standoff at Wounded Knee.

Studi spoke about his bright future, “I see the future as being abundant… living comfortably. I would like to like to leave the legacy, ‘To be the best you can in whatever field you settle in. It is good to know that you that you gave it your all.’…And before I die, I would like to win a major award in this biz, like an Emmy or an Oscar…to show my participation in this world.“

It would be another first…for a Native American to win an Emmy or an Oscar Award in a starring role…Studi has the class, talent and experience to make it happen…Just you, wait and see.