Wesley "Wes" Studi (born December 17, 1947) is an American Cherokee actor, who has earned notability for his portrayals of Native Americans in film. He has appeared in well-received Academy Award-winning films, such as Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves, Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans, the award-winning Geronimo: An American Legend and the Academy Award-nominated film The New World (2005). He most recently portrayed General Linus Abner (an analogue to the biblical Abner) in the NBC series Kings, and Eytukan in James Cameron's box office blockbuster Avatar.
Known For
Avatar
(2009)
Eytukan
Heat
(1995)
Detective Casals
Soul
(2020)
Counselor Jerry (voice)
Dances with Wolves
(1990)
Toughest Pawnee
Undisputed
(2002)
Mingo Pace
Street Fighter
(1994)
Victor Sagat
The Last of the Mohicans
(1992)
Magua
Deep Rising
(1998)
Hanover
Hostiles
(2017)
Chief Yellow Hawk
The Doors
(1991)
Indian in Desert
A Dog's Way Home
(2019)
Captain Mica
Seraphim Falls
(2007)
Charon
Planes: Fire & Rescue
(2014)
Windlifter
A Million Ways to Die in the West
(2014)
Cochise
Mystery Men
(1999)
Sphinx
Badland
(2019)
Harlan Red
Full Filmography
Acting
Longarm
(1988)
The Ute
Powwow Highway
(1989)
Buff
Dances with Wolves
(1990)
Toughest Pawnee
The Doors
(1991)
Indian in Desert
The Last of the Mohicans
(1992)
Magua
Geronimo: An American Legend
(1993)
Geronimo
The Broken Chain
(1993)
Seth / Chief / Speaker for the Tribes
Street Fighter
(1994)
Victor Sagat
Heat
(1995)
Detective Casals
Crazy Horse
(1996)
Red Cloud
Lone Justice: Showdown at Plum Creek
(1996)
The Killing Jar
(1997)
Cameron
Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western
(1997)
Self
Deep Rising
(1998)
Hanover
Mystery Men
(1999)
Sphinx
Soundman
(1999)
Terry Leonard
Wind River
(2000)
Pocatello
Ice Planet
(2001)
Commander Jonah Trager
Christmas in the Clouds
(2001)
Bingo Caller
Road to Redemption
(2001)
Frank Lightfoot
Undisputed
(2002)
Mingo Pace
Skinwalkers
(2002)
Lt. Joe Leaphorn
Superfire
(2002)
Joe Nighttrail
Coyote Waits
(2003)
Joe Leaphorn
Edge of America
(2003)
Cuch
The Lone Ranger
(2003)
Kulakinah
A Thief Of Time
(2004)
Joe Leaphorn
The New World
(2005)
Opechancanough
Miracle at Sage Creek
(2005)
Chief Thomas
Animal
(2005)
Creeper
The Trail Of Tears: Cherokee Legacy
(2006)
Himself
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
(2007)
Wovoka
Seraphim Falls
(2007)
Charon
Wolf Ridge
(2007)
Cosmic Radio
(2007)
Sherriff Mike Nighthorse
Three Priests
(2008)
Ben
Older Than America
(2008)
Richard Two Rivers
El Camino
(2008)
Dave
Call of the Wild
(2009)
Hatcher
Avatar
(2009)
Eytukan
The Only Good Indian
(2009)
Sam
The Undying
(2009)
Lt. Frank Wascoe
Reel Injun
(2010)
Himself
A Good Day to Die
(2010)
Himself - Actor; Cherokee
Making The Last of the Mohicans
(2010)
Self
The Dome of Heaven
(2011)
DeWayne Moses
Being Flynn
(2012)
Captain
Battledogs
(2013)
Captain Falcos
Sugar
(2013)
Bishop
Destination: Planet Negro!
(2013)
Chief Bobby
Planes: Fire & Rescue
(2014)
Windlifter
A Million Ways to Die in the West
(2014)
Cochise
Pie Lady of Pie Town
(2014)
Narrator (voice)
Road to Paloma
(2014)
Numay
The Condemned 2
(2015)
Cyrus
Ronnie BoDean
(2015)
Ronnie BoDean
Hostiles
(2017)
Chief Yellow Hawk
A Dog's Way Home
(2019)
Captain Mica
Badland
(2019)
Harlan Red
Soul
(2020)
Counselor Jerry (voice)
Bonnie
(2022)
Self
A Love Song
(2022)
Lito
Acting Like Nothing is Wrong
(2022)
Self
Mending the Line
(2023)
Harrison
The Roof
(2023)
Grandpa / Nick
Terra Infirma
(2024)
Grey Owl
Production