Will Sampson  William Sampson Jr. (September 27, 1933 – June 3, 1987) was a Native American painter, actor, and rodeo performer. He is best known for his performance as the apparent deaf and mute Native American Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and as Crazy Horse in the 1977 western "The White Buffalo", as well as his roles as Taylor in "" and Ten Bears in 1976's "The Outlaw Josey Wales". William "Will" Sampson Jr., also known by his childhood nickname, "Sonny," a Muscogee Creek man, was born in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to William "Wiley" Sampson Sr. (August 13, 1904 – May 27, 2001) and Mabel Sampson (née Lewis, 1899–?). Sampson is the father of Samsoche "Sam" and Lumhe "Micco" Sampson of the Sampson Brothers Duo, actor Tim Sampson, and Destiny Sampson. They are known for their traditional fancy and grass dances, and often perform with Frank Waln, a notable Lakota hip-hop artist. On July 6, 2019, Sampson's son, Timothy "Tim" Sampson died. Sampson competed in rodeos (his specialty being bronco busting), for about twenty years. He was on the rodeo circuit when producers Saul Zaentz and Michael Douglas—of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"—were looking for a large Native American to play the role of Chief Bromden. Sampson stood an imposing 6'7" (2.01 m) tall. Rodeo announcer Mel Lambert mentioned Sampson to them, and after lengthy efforts to find him, they hired him on the strength of an interview. He had never acted before. Sampson's most notable roles were as "Chief Bromden" in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", and as "Taylor the Medicine Man" in the horror film "". He had a recurring role on the TV series "Vega$", as Harlon Twoleaf, and starred in the movies "Fish Hawk", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", and "Orca". Sampson appeared in the production of "Black Elk Speaks" with the American Indian Theater Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where David Carradine and other Native American actors (such as Wes Studi and Randolph Mantooth) have appeared in stage productions.