<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> painter, actor </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Years active </Th> <Td> 1975--1987 </Td> </Tr> <P> William "Will" 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 the Academy Award winning film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as well as for his role as Taylor in Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Ten Bears in the Clint Eastwood 1976 classic The Outlaw Josey Wales . </P> <P> William "Will" Sampson, Jr., also known by his childhood nickname, "Sonny," a full blooded Muscogee (Creek), was born in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma to William "Will" Sampson, Sr. (1904 - 2001) and Mabel Sampson (née Lewis, born 1899 .) Sampson is the father of Samsoche "Sam," Lumhe "Micco" Sampson of the Sampson Brothers Duo 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 . </P>

Who played the chief in one flew over the cuckoo's nest