Wes Studi
Known for
A commanding Native American actor of Cherokee heritage, Wes Studi brought fierce authenticity and gravitas to some of cinema's most memorable Indigenous roles. Born in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, in 1947, he made his mark as the ferocious Magua in 'The Last of the Mohicans' (1992), the title warrior in 'Geronimo' (1993), and appeared in 'Heat' (1995) and 'Avatar' (2009). In 2019 he received an honorary Academy Award, the first for a Native American actor. An American screen actor whose powerful presence reshaped the depiction of Indigenous characters in Hollywood.
Wes Studi
51 Movies
16 Series
A commanding Native American actor of Cherokee heritage, Wes Studi brought fierce authenticity and gravitas to some of cinema's most memorable Indigenous roles. Born in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, in 1947, he made his mark as the ferocious Magua in 'The Last of the Mohicans' (1992), the title warrior in 'Geronimo' (1993), and appeared in 'Heat' (1995) and 'Avatar' (2009). In 2019 he received an honorary Academy Award, the first for a Native American actor. An American screen actor whose powerful presence reshaped the depiction of Indigenous characters in Hollywood.
Movies
Plays E'ytukan
Avatar: Fire and Ash
2025
Plays Eytukan
Avatar
2009
Plays Casals
Heat
1995
Plays Counselor Jerry (voice)
Soul
2020
Plays Toughest Pawnee
Dances with Wolves
1990
Plays Magua
The Last of the Mohicans
1992
Plays Windlifter
Planes: Fire & Rescue
2014
Plays Cochise
A Million Ways to Die in the West
2014
Plays Hanover
Deep Rising
1998
Plays Chief Yellow Hawk
Hostiles
2017
Plays Sagat
Street Fighter
1994
Plays Mingo Pace
Undisputed
2002
Plays Indian in Desert
The Doors
1991
Plays Sphinx
Mystery Men
1999
Plays Captain Mica
A Dog's Way Home
2019
Plays Opechancanough
The New World
2005
Plays Charon
Seraphim Falls
2007
Plays Geronimo
Geronimo: An American Legend
1993
Plays Harlan Red
Badland
2019
Plays Captain
Being Flynn
2012
Plays Lito
A Love Song
2022
Plays Numay
Road to Paloma
2014
Plays Harrison
Mending the Line
2023
Plays Cyrus
The Condemned 2
2015
Plays Creeper
Animal
2005
Plays Kulakinah
The Lone Ranger
2003
Plays Hatcher
Call of the Wild
2009
Plays Ben
Three Priests
2008
Plays Lt. Frank Wascoe
The Undying
2009
Plays Red Cloud
Crazy Horse
1996
Plays Bingo Caller
Christmas in the Clouds
2001
Plays Buff
Powwow Highway
1989
Plays Richard Two Rivers
Older Than America
2008
Plays Terry Leonard
Soundman
1999
Plays Frank Lightfoot
Road to Redemption
2001
Plays Chief Thomas
Miracle at Sage Creek
2005
Plays Cameron
The Killing Jar
1997
Plays Dave
El Camino
2008
Plays The Ute
Longarm
1988
Plays Grandpa / Nick
The Roof
2023
Plays Pocatello
Wind River
2000
Plays General Gleason
21 and a Wake-Up
2009
Plays Bishop
Sugar
2013
Plays Captain Falcos
Battledogs
2013
TV Shows
Plays Kaetenay
Penny Dreadful
2014
Plays General Linus Abner
Kings
2009
Plays Bucky
Reservation Dogs
2021
Plays Chief Many Horses
Hell on Wheels
2011
Plays Buffalo Hump
Comanche Moon
2008
Plays Famous Shoes
Streets of Laredo
1995
Plays Black Kettle
Into the West
2005
Plays Chief Sleeping Bear
Miracle Workers
2019
Plays Joeseph Silverwing
The Mentalist
2008
Plays Roller
The Flash
1990
Plays Sheriff Benson
Highlander: The Series
1992
Plays William Lawrence
Grey's Anatomy
2005
Plays Spoon (voice)
Woke
2020
Plays Chief Pierce
In Plain Sight
2008
Plays Quanah (voice)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
2022
Plays Bobby's Dad
Saving Grace
2007
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Full Filmography
Avatar: Fire and Ash
E'ytukan
2025
Film
The Midway Point
Mr. Williams
2024
Film
Reservation Dogs
Bucky · 4 episodes
2021–2023
TV
The Roof
Grandpa / Nick
2023
Film
Mending the Line
Harrison
2023
Film
A Love Song
Lito
2022
Film
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Quanah (voice) · 1 episode
2022–
TV
Miracle Workers
Chief Sleeping Bear · 1 episode
2021
TV
Grey's Anatomy
William Lawrence · 1 episode
2021
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Wes Studi and where are they from?
Wes Studi is 78 years old, born on December 17, 1947 in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Wes Studi?
Wes Studi is best known for roles in Avatar, Soul, Heat.
How many movies has Wes Studi been in?
Over a 38-year career (since 1988), Wes Studi has appeared in 51 movies and 16 TV shows.
What was Wes Studi's first movie?
The career of Wes Studi began with Longarm (1988).
What is Wes Studi's most recent movie or series?
Wes Studi's most recent release is Avatar: Fire and Ash, which premiered on December 17, 2025.
What TV shows has Wes Studi appeared in?
On television, Wes Studi has appeared in Grey's Anatomy, The Mentalist, Penny Dreadful, The Flash.
Wes Studi
1947-12-17 · Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, USA
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 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.