Wes Studi

Wes Studi is a Cherokee actor, film producer, and musician whose life journey spans service as a Vietnam veteran, Native American rights activism, and a career in Hollywood. A professional horse trainer, Studi began acting at The American Indian Theatre Company in Tulsa, coming to the craft later than most. After serving in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Studi became politically involved in Native American activism, joining the American Indian Movement and participating in the Trail of Broken Treaties, where hundreds of Native American activists marched on Washington. These formative experiences—combat, activism, and a deep connection to his Cherokee heritage—have influenced his performances in film and television.

Within a few years of his arrival in Hollywood, Studi gained public attention in "Dances with Wolves," and his performance as Magua in "The Last of the Mohicans" established him as a prominent actor. He became known for portraying strong Native American characters with authenticity, including the title character in the Walter Hill-directed "Geronimo: An American Legend" alongside Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall, for which he won a Western Heritage Award. Studi has appeared in more than 80 film and television productions, including "Avatar," "Comanche Moon," "Streets of Laredo," "Mystery Men," "The New World," "Hell on Wheels," "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," and "Seraphim Falls." He also portrayed Lt. Joe Leaphorn in a series of PBS movies produced by Robert Redford and based on Tony Hillerman's books "Skinwalkers," "Coyote Waits," and "A Thief of Time."

Studi has contributed to Indigenous representation in film by bringing fully developed Native American characters to the screen and highlighting the success of Native Americans in non-traditional roles. He has played a policeman in "Heat," a villain in "Street Fighter," and a wannabe superhero in "Mystery Men." His range extends to playing Cheyenne chief Yellow Hawk in "Hostiles" and appearing in the Pixar animated film "Soul," demonstrating versatility across decades of Hollywood storytelling.

In a landmark moment for Indigenous representation, Studi received an Academy Honorary Award, becoming the first Native American actor to receive an Oscar specifically for acting. He was previously invited to present at the Academy Awards as a Vietnam veteran, where he introduced a video montage of military movies as a tribute to veterans. During that presentation, he gave part of his speech in the Cherokee language, of which he is a fluent speaker. The New York Times ranked him No. 19 in its list of the "25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century (So Far)," recognizing his influence in the film industry.

Beyond his film work, Studi advocates for Indigenous language preservation and community empowerment. He serves as spokesman for both the Indigenous Language Institute and the Partnership with Native Americans. Studi works toward more inclusion of Native Americans in above-the-title roles and teaches filmmaking to Pueblo youth through Silver Bullet Productions in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is also a stone carver, musician, and author of two children's books. Studi continues to be a trailblazer for Native American representation in Hollywood and a testament to the power of authentic storytelling.