Wes Studi

Actor, Producer, Director

Birthdate: Dec 17, 1947

Birthplace: Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, USA

From small-town Oklahoma native to internationally acclaimed actor and musician, Wes Studi credits his passion and multi-faceted background for his powerful character portrayals that forever changed a Hollywood stereotype. Within a few years of his arrival in Hollywood, Studi caught the attention of the public in Dances with Wolves (1990). In 1992, his powerful performance as "Magua" in The Last of the Mohicans (1992) established him as one of the most compelling actors in the business.

Studi has since appeared in more than 80 film and television productions, including Geronimo: An American Legend (1993), Being Flynn (2012), Avatar (2009), Comanche Moon (2008), Streets of Laredo (1995), Mystery Men (1999), Kings (TV Series), The New World (2005), Hell on Wheels (2011), Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) and Seraphim Falls (2006). He also brought Tony Hillerman's "Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn" to life in a series of PBS specials produced by Robert Redford: Skinwalkers (2002), Coyote Waits (2003), and A Thief of Time (2003).

Studi was born in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, the son of Maggie (Nofire), a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand. Studi exclusively spoke his native Cherokee language until beginning school at the age of five. A professional horse trainer, Studi began acting at The American Indian Theatre Company in Tulsa in the mid-80s.

Studi and his wife, Maura Dhu Studi, live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have a son, Kholan. Studi has a daughter, Leah, and a son, Daniel, from a previous marriage.

Known For

The Last of the Mohicans
The Last of the Mohicans

(1992)

Mystery Men
Mystery Men

(1999)

Heat
Heat

(1995)

Wes Studi Movies

actor

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Previous (40)

  • 2023 |

    Deep Rising

    asHanover
  • 2023 |

    Mending the Line

    asHarrison
  • 2022 |

    A Love Song

    asLito
  • 2020 |
    Rolling Thunderas Wes
  • 2019 |
    Badlandas Harlan Red
  • 2019 |

    A Dog’s Way Home

    asCaptain Mica
  • 2018 |
    Whitewashed: The Ethnic Cleansing of Americaas Narrator
  • 2017 |
    Empire of the Heart
  • 2017 |

    Hostiles

    asChief Yellow Hawk
  • 2017 |

    Wind River

    asPocatello
  • 2014 |
    Planes: Fire & Rescueas Windlifter
  • 2014 |

    Planes: Fire & Rescue

    asWindlifter
  • 2014 |

    A Million Ways to Die in the West

    asCochise
  • 2013 |
    Sugaras Bishop
  • 2011 |
    The Dome of Heavenas DeWayne Moses
  • 2010 |
    Ink: A Tale of Captivityas King Philip
  • 2009 |
    The Hunter's Moonas Cherokee Jack
  • 2009 |
    The Only Good Indianas Sam
  • 2009 |
    The Undyingas Lt. Frank Wascoe
  • 2009 |

    Avatar

    asEytukan
  • 2009 |
    Call of the Wildas Hatcher
  • 2008 |
    El caminoas Dave
  • 2008 |
    Older Than Americaas Richard Two Rivers
  • 2008 |
    Three Priestsas Ben
  • 2007 |
    Cosmic Radioas Sherriff Mike Nighthorse
  • 2005 |
    Miracle at Sage Creekas Chief Thomas
  • 2005 |
    The New Worldas Opechancanough
  • 2002 |
    Undisputedas Mingo Pace
  • 2001 |
    Ice Planetas Commander Jonah Trager
  • 2001 |
    Road to Redemptionas Frank Lightfoot
  • 2001 |
    Sze Beias Narrator
  • 1999 |
    Mystery Menas Sphinx
  • 1998 |
    Andrew Jackson White Elk
  • 1998 |
    Soundmanas Terry Leonard
  • 1997 |
    The Killing Jaras Cameron
  • 1995 |
    Lone Justice 2
  • 1995 |
    Heatas Casals
  • 1994 |
    Wolfridge
  • 1993 |
    Geronimo: An American Legendas Geronimo
  • 1992 |
    The Last of the Mohicansas Magua