Wesley "Wes" Studi (born December 17, 1947) is a U.S. actor of Native American descent. Born in Tahlequah, Studi was schooled at Chilocco Indian Boarding School in Northern Oklahoma. Until he attended grade school, he spoke only Cherokee. In 1967, he was drafted into the Army and served 18 months in Vietnam. After his discharge, Studi studied at Tulsa Junior College.
Studi won a Western Heritage Award (shared with cast and crew) in 1994 for Geronimo: An American Legend[1]
He is best known for his roles as both brave and vicious Indians, such as the Pawnee warrior in Dances with Wolves and Magua in The Last of the Mohicans (1992). In 2002, Studi brought to life the legendary Tony Hillerman character Lt. Joe Leaphorn, for a series of PBS movies produced by Robert Redford.
In 2005, he portrayed a character inspired by the Powhatan warrior Opechancanough in The New World, a 2005 Academy Award-nominated film directed by Terrence Malick, and starring Colin Farrell. The historical adventure is set during the founding of the Jamestown, Virginia settlement and includes other characters inspired by historical figures, notably Captain John Smith (Farrell) and Pocahontas. Much of the film was shot at locations in James City County and Charles City County, not far from where the first permanent English colony in the New World was established at Jamestown beginning on May 14, 1607.
In addition to acting, Studi is a stone carver, an author of two children's books, and plays bass in a local band.
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 1989 | Powwow Highway | Buff | |
| 1990 | Dances with Wolves | Toughest Pawnee | |
| 1991 | The Doors | Indian in Desert | |
| 1992 | The Last of the Mohicans | Magua | |
| 1993 | Geronimo: An American Legend | Geronimo | |
| 1994 | Street Fighter | Victor Sagat | |
| 1995 | Lone Justice 2 | One Horse | |
| Heat | Detective Casals | ||
| 1996 | The Killing Jar (Film) | Cameron | |
| 1998 | Deep Rising | Hanover | |
| The Horse Whisperer | parks guard | ||
| Soundman | Terry Leonard | ||
| 1999 | Mystery Men | The Sphinx | |
| 2001 | Ice Planet | Commander Trager | |
| Christmas in the Clouds | Bingo Caller | ||
| Road to Redemption | Frank Lightfoot | ||
| 2002 | Undisputed | Mingo Pace | |
| 2003 | Edge of America | Cuch | |
| 2003 | The Ugly One | Father Mike | |
| 2004 | Echoes from Juniper Canyon | Grandpa (voice) | |
| 2005 | Animal | Creeper (voice) | |
| Miracle at Sage Creek | Chief Thomas | ||
| The New World | Opechancanough | ||
| 2006 | Three Priests | Ben | |
| 2007 | Seraphim Falls | Native Water Guardian | |
| Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee | Wovoka | ||
| 2008 | Comanche Moon | Buffalo Hump | |
| The Only Good Indian | Sam |
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