Wes Studi

Wes Studi, a Native American actor and film producer of the Cherokee Nation, has a rich career that spans both film and television. He is known for his portrayal of Native American characters, often lending authenticity and depth to warriors and chiefs in Oscar-winning films like Dances with Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans, as well as in Oscar-nominated movies such as Geronimo: An American Legend and The New World. His roles have ranged from the ruthless Pawnee in Dances with Wolves to the chieftain of a Na'vi tribe in James Cameron's Avatar, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to diverse representation.

Studi's contributions to film have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He made history in 2019 when he received an Academy Honorary Award, thus becoming the first Native American and Indigenous person from North America to be honored by the Academy. His other awards include a Western Heritage Award for Geronimo: An American Legend, the Dreamspeakers Film and Festival Career Achievement Award, the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Golden Boot Award, and a place in the Hall of Great Western Performers. His work has not gone unnoticed by critics; The New York Times ranked him #19 in its list of the "25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far)".

Studi was born in 1947 in Nofire Hollow, in Northeastern Oklahoma. He spoke only his native Cherokee until he was 5, which he continues to speak it today. He served in the U.S. Army after high school, and while stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, he volunteered to serve one tour in Vietnam. After an honorable military discharge, Studi returned home and became seriously involved with Native American politics. He joined the American Indian Movement (AIM) and participated in the Trail of Broken Treaties protest march in 1972, where hundreds of Native American activists marched on Washington. He was also one of the protesters who briefly occupied the Bureau of Indian Affairs Building there. After this activism, Studi shifted his attention to running his own horse ranch and became a professional horse trainer. It was during this era that he began acting at The American Indian Theatre Company in Tulsa in 1983 as an outlet for pent-up feelings.

Not limited to acting, Studi has also made strides in public speaking. He made a notable appearance at the 90th Academy Awards, where he introduced a tribute to military movies and delivered part of his speech in the Cherokee language. His advocacy for Native American heritage extends beyond his acting roles; he is a member of the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame, underlining his commitment to promoting diverse cultures and histories.