Wes Studi Wiki Bio, wife, net worth, height, education. Dead or alive
• Wes Studi is a Cherokee actor, producer, musician, and guitar player
• He is best known for his role in the movie “The Last of the Mohicans”
• He volunteered to fight in Vietnam and became politically active in American Indian activism
• He has starred in 86 movies and won 4 awards
• He is a fluent Cherokee speaker and is also interested in sculpture, tennis, and jazz guitar
Contents
Who is Wes Studi?
Wesley Studie was born on 17 December, 1947 in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma USA; his father was a ranch hand called Andy, while his mother Maggie was a housekeeper, and he has three brothers named Bob, Andy Lee and Calvin. Wes is a Cherokee actor and a producer, also a musician and a guitar player, perhaps best known for his role in the evergreen movie “The Last of the Mohicans” in 1992.
Early life and education
Wes attended Chilocco Indian Agricultural School which he matriculated from in 1964, immediately enlisting in the Oklahoma National Guard to undertake basic combat training, later on finishing advanced individual training in Louisiana., still only 17 at that time. After that, Wes attended and graduated from Tulsa Junior College.
Something that not a lot of people know about Wes is that he fought in Vietnam, posted there for a year and a half. It was his own decision to go there and fight – he volunteered and later on return to the US, he became politically involved in the American Indian activism.
First appearances on TV and his movie career
His first film appearance was in “The Trial of Standing Bear” in 1988; he was 40 at the time which a lot of people would consider to be late to start a career, but it didn’t bother him. The movie wasn’t a big hit, but Wes continued his career and later acted in a lot of movies, including some which are considered to be evergreen, and some of the best movies ever made. One of these is “The Last of the Mohicans” which was filmed in 1992, in which Wes played the role of Magua, the main bad character in the movie. This story is an historical drama set in 1757, depicting a period of during the French and Indian War, and follows two touching love stories: one of Hawkeye and Cora Munro and the other of Uncas and Alice Munro. Another movie which received some very positive critiques and was nominated for an Oscar was “Avatar” in 2009 – Wes played the role of Eytukan, a chieftain of the Na’vi tribe.
It might be hard to believe, but Wes has starred in 86 movies from 1988 to this day. Aside from those already mentioned, notable have been “Dances with Wolves” in 1990, “The Broken Chain” in 1993, “Geronimo: An American Legend” in 1993, “Mystery Men” in 1999 and “Hostiles” in 2017, mostly playing roles of Indians.
Personal life
Wes has taught the Cherokee language, and is also a co-producer of newspapers written in the Cherokee language. He married his first wife, Rebecca Graves shortly after his studies; details are only that it was short-lived. He only started acting because he heard that the movie industry is the great place to meet ladies (he is that kind of guy). His second wife is Maura Dhu who he married in 1974, and who is a singer and a writer – they moved together to live on a farm in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1982, and Wes still loves living on it – he also owned a ranch and lived on it before he started pursuing his acting career. He has three kids, a son named Kholan with Maura, and a daughter and a son – Leah and Daniel – with his first wife Rebecca.
I'm on my way to Standing Rock today. I'll be there as long as I can to help with the movement! https://t.co/SV29Uj6Zbb #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/JzJ6JpcbhP
— Wes Studi (@WesleyStudi) October 3, 2016
Appearance and net worth
Wes is as much alive as any of you who are reading this even though there were some rumors regarding his made-up death. He has a black short hair and black eyes, is 5ft 10ins (178cm) tall, and weighs around 158 pounds (72kg). According to authoritative sources, Wes’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, mostly earned from his movie roles, and in TV series and shows.
Wounded Knee incident
Wes was a part of the Wounded Knee incident in 1973 – it began on 27 February when around 200 Oglala Lakota’s and Cherokees occupied the town of Wounded Knee in South Dakota. The whole event took place because OSCRO (Oglala Sioux Civil Rights Organization) failed to remove the tribal president Richard Wilson. Their control of the town continued for over two months and 11 days. There wasn’t much shooting during the occupation, however, one of the US marshals was shot and paralyzed, while a Cherokee and an Oglala Lakota were killed. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your own point of view), Wilson was re-elected even though he was charged with many alleged offences by the Indian community.
Honors and awards
Wes is 71 years old and probably the best actor from the Cherokee community. He has won four awards, in 1994, 1998 and two in 2000, Western Heritage Award for his role in “Geronimo: An American Legend”, a Career Achievement Award, “Golden Boot Award, and the award for the Artist of the Decade – First Americans respectively. He was also inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers in Oklahoma in 2013.
Trivia
Wes is a fluent Cherokee speaker, and didn’t speak any other language before he started attending elementary school.
Wes is also interested in sculpture, tennis, and loves playing jazz on his guitar (he also plays bass).
He was a presenter of the 2018 Academy Awards.
Wes and his wife Maura used to perform in a six-piece band called “Firecat of Discord”; his brother Bob was the band’s drummer.
Wes is a professional horse trainer.
He is Jack Albertson’s son-in-law – Jack was a famous actor who died in 1981, and appeared in movies such as “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “The Fox and the Hound”.
In my personal opinion is one of best indian actor I´ve ever seen on screen, even better than those from old cowboy days, his realism is unbelievable.
That’s because he is real…a real Indian. He plays a bad Indian in such a manner that I get scared. Then he can play a good Indian and make you fall in love! Great actor.
I agree – at times. The other times I think Graham Greene is the best. It really is hard to choose, both men have such a strong presence and make whatever role theirs to the point of complete acceptance on my part.
The first time I saw Wes Studi was in Geronimo. I was instantly fascinated by his stupendous film presence. His magnetism is truly AWESOME! Although he is not quite “handsome” in the Hollywood sense, his looks are utterly mesmeric, due, I think, to his incredible intensity, which makes it impossible to look past him. His spirit radiates that same intensity through his acting, making his performances rivieting & unforgettable. I suspect these attributes are actually “gifts” given to him by the Great Spirit.
I’m only 1/8 Indian, and sadly, I only found out about that a few years ago. But my Indian blood must recognizes Studi as someone special enough to make me feel great pride in that heritage. I have searched out many of his movies, and I always feel the same excitement when he appears on the screen. Wes Studi is indisputably ONE OF A KIND! May God bless him, and may his tribe increase.