Wes Studi Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Wes shares stories from his performances in The Last of the Mohicans, Avatar, Heat, Geronimo, Dances with Wolves, Hostiles, Powwow Highway, and A Million Ways to Die in the West in this interview on his acting career. He recounts growing up Cherokee in Oklahoma, his work in the American Indian Movement and First Americans in the Arts, working with Al Pacino, being a language consultant, and gives advice for aspiring actors. With thanks to the National Native Americans Committee, this Q&A moderated by Azia Celestino is part of the SAG-AFTRA Conversations series, an essential resource for actors, filmmakers and students of discussions with performers, exploring the process and profession of acting. With thanks to the National Native Americans Committee.

The views expressed in the presentation materials and films, and by the guests and moderators are solely those of the organization and/or individual providing them and do not reflect the opinions of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, its staff or Board of Directors.

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0:00 Introduction
2:01 Growing up Cherokee in Oklahoma
8:44 Time in military
17:30 American Indian Movement
27:46 When did acting come about
34:57 First role, Powwow Highway
36:54 First Americans in the Arts
41:38 Dances with Wolves
44:17 The Last of the Mohicans
46:41 Heat, Al Pacino, early film sets
50:40 Geronimo
53:50 Hostiles
59:55 Avatar, language
1:05:25 A Million Ways to Die in the West
1:07:26 Goals
1:10:27 Advice for aspiring actors