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Articles & FAQs Guess Who's a Cherokee -- Wes Studi
This is the sixth article in the series "Guess Who's a Cherokee." Check each month to find a new Cherokee profiled. Some are obvious while some will really surprise you. Hope you enjoy. Wes Studi Wes Studi is an actor of immense talent and range. He is great at playing good guys, bad guys, and everything in between. While he might not be a household name, he is well known to most filmgoers. He is most often referred to as "the bad Indian in ..." either Dances With Wolves or Last of the Mohicans. But Wes Studi isn't bad at all; on the contrary, he is the nicest moviestar I have ever met. Wes Studi's first film role was in the independent film Powwow Highway. The role was small and the movie, though great, was not widely received, so it wasn't until his part in Dances with Wolves a year later that audiences got their first look at this talented actor. Wes Studi played the "toughest Pawnee," a character which didn't even have a name. As the "toughest Pawnee" audiences saw Wes terrorize, kill, and scalp several people. Wes' character left quite an impression on audiences and was followed two years later with what is perhaps Wes Studi's best-known character, Magua, in Last of the Mohicans. Magua is a Huron Indian who seeks revenge against the "gray hair" for the death of his family. After Magua, Wes Studi landed the title role of Geronimo in Geronimo: An American Legend. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Wes' career has been his ability to reach beyond these "Indian" role to land several notable "non-Indian" roles. In Heat, Deep Rising, Street Fighter, and Mystery Men Wes was able to shed the historical costumes and settings and play contemporary roles in popular films. Wes Studi was born in Nofire Hollow (near Tahlequah) and is a member of the Cherokee Nation. His first language is Cherokee. In addition to his impressive acting career, Wes Studi is also a musician, author, artist, and director.  Shop for Wes Studi movies on Amazon.com Related Links |
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