Wesley "Wes" Studi was born on December 17, 1947 in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma. He is an American actor.

His interest in acting was spurred by his involvement with the American Indian Theatre Company in Tulsa. Studi then moved to Los Angeles and got small parts in television and movies.

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 1995 he appeared with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in Heat (1995) and in 1999's Mystery Men he was The Sphinx. He has appeared Skinwalkers (2002), Coyote Waits (2003), and A Thief of Time (2003).

He played the role of Opechancanough in Terrence Malick's film, The New World (2005). Studi has written two children's books, is a sculptor, and is a member of the band Firecat of Discord.

Filmography

• The Last Horseman (2009)
• The Hard Ride (2008)
• Avatar (2009)
• The Only Good Indian (2008)
• Older Than America (2008)
• Three Priests (2008)
• Camino, El (2007)
• "Comanche Moon" (2008)
• Hury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)
• Cosmic Radio (2007)
• Seraphim Falls (2006)
• The New World (2005)
• Miracle at Sage Creek (2005)
• Animal (2005)
• "Into the West" (2005)
• A Thief of Time (2004)
• A Warrior in Two Worlds (2004)
• Echoes from Juniper Canyon (2004)
• Edge of America (2003)
• Coyote Waits (2003)
• The Lone Ranger (2003)
• The Ugly One (2003)
• Skinwalkers (2002)
• Undisputed (2002)
• Superfire (2002)
• "UC: Undercover" (1 episode, 2002)
• Road to Redemption (2001)
• Christmas in the Clouds (2001)
• Ice Planet (2001)
• Mystery Men (1999)
• Soundman (1998)
• Deep Rising (1998)
• Wind River (1998)
• "Promised Land" (1 episode, 1997)
• Crazy Horse (1996)
• Lone Justice 3 (1996)
• The Killing Jar (1996)
• Heat (1995)
• "Streets of Laredo" (1995)
• "500 Nations" (1995)
• Lone Justice 2 (1995)
• Street Fighter (1994)
• Indian America: A Gift from the Past (1994)
• The Broken Chain (1993)
• Geronimo: An American Legend (1993)
• "Ned Blessing: The Story of My Life and Times" (1 episode, 1993)
• "Highlander" (1 episode, 1992)
• The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
• The Doors (1991)
• Dances with Wolves (1990)
• Powwow Highway (1989)
• The Trial of Standing Bear (1988)

Awards

• First Americans in the Arts Artist of the Decade Award 1999
• First Americans in the Arts Award Best Leading Actor "Mystery Men" 1999
• First Americans in the Arts Award Best Supporting Actor "Deep Rising" 1998
• First Americans in the Arts Award Best Actor in a Nontraditional Role "Deep Rising" 1998