Wes Studi, a renowned actor and musician, hails from a small town in Oklahoma, where his multifaceted background and unwavering passion have enabled him to craft unforgettable character portrayals, forever redefining the Hollywood stereotype.
Within a mere few years of his arrival in Hollywood, Studi garnered widespread recognition for his captivating performance in Dances with Wolves (1990). This was followed by his powerful portrayal of "Magua" in The Last of the Mohicans (1992),solidifying his status as one of the most compelling actors in the industry.
Throughout his illustrious career, Studi has appeared in over 80 film and television productions, including Geronimo: An American Legend (1993),Being Flynn (2012),Avatar (2009),Comanche Moon (2008),Streets of Laredo (1995),Mystery Men (1999),Kings (TV Series),The New World (2005),Hell on Wheels (2011),Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007),and Seraphim Falls (2006).
Studi has also brought Tony Hillerman's "Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn" to life in a series of PBS specials produced by Robert Redford: Skinwalkers (2002),Coyote Waits (2003),and A Thief of Time (2003).
Born in Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, to Maggie (Nofire),a housekeeper, and Andy Studie, a ranch hand, Studi was raised speaking his native Cherokee language until beginning school at the age of five. A professional horse trainer, Studi discovered his passion for acting at The American Indian Theatre Company in Tulsa in the mid-80s.
Studi is married to Maura Dhu Studi and resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with their son, Kholan. He also has a daughter, Leah, and a son, Daniel, from a previous marriage.