Cherokee actor will receive an honorary Academy Award
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Santa Fe’s Wes Studi, a veteran Cherokee actor whose list of credits includes Dances With Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans, in October will receive an honorary Academy Award for his lifetime of work.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officials announced four Governors Awards recipients on Monday. Also receiving honorary awards will be directors David Lynch and Lina Wertmüller. Actor Geena Davis will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her work advocating for gender equality in media.
Studi, an Oklahoma native who has lived in Santa Fe since the early 1990s, has appeared in more than 30 films. But he is perhaps is best known for portraying Magua, a Huron warrior and guide, in the 1992 historical drama The Last of the Mohicans. He also appeared in Geronimo: An American Legend, Avatarand Hostiles in 2017
In a tweet posted late Monday morning, Studi, 71, said he was “deeply honored and humbled” by the award.
“I finally get to say ‘I’d like to thank the Academy,’ ” wrote the actor, who made an appearance at last year’s Oscar ceremony to introduce a montage of scenes from military movies, ending his speech by speaking in Cherokee as he thanked veterans and Cherokees who served.
The Oscars statuettes will be presented at the Academy’s 11th annual Governors Awards ceremony on Oct. 27, in Hollywood. Footage from that event will be wrapped into the live broadcast of the 92nd annual Academy Awards, scheduled to air in early 2020.
Less than a week after receiving his Oscar, Studi will be inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Okla.
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Got to work with the man on two occasions and he is, indeed, a gentleman with great honor.
Well deserved Wes - congratulations.
He deserves it, no question. A very fine actor.
He will be the first American Indian to receive an Academy Award.
Most people are aware of his acting talents in the major films that he has been it but he is also appeared in video's/documentaries/short films. As Ronnie BoDean he was hilarious. The worst baby sitter ever.
He is truly a talented actor. His father in law, Jack Albertson is both a Emmy and Oscar winner.
As a combat veteran he served 6 years in the military. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division as a infantryman in the Mekong delta, Vietnam.
His speech at the 90th academy awards honored the military, he spoke in both English and Cherokee. (a first)
Well done and congratulations to you Wes...
Now that tickled me. Albertson had JIP grandchildren, which we know are the best, LOL!
That's crazy.
Actually met the man around 20 years ago. I didn't get to chit chat with him, but was there while he was sitting for an interview. We were all so pumped, he could have punched us all in the face, and we'd have been cool with it. But, I remember him as being a solid, cool dude. And yes, great actor.
An award that is long over due and well deserved. Wes Studi has been a role model not only for the Cherokee Nation, but, for all other Native Americans in his tireless efforts.
His years of military service along side his Brothers of many different Tribes honors not only the Cherokee, but, Native Americans across many Nations. In his many movies and other ventures, it seems that he was simply being himself as opposed to 'acting'. That is why he was able to make his characters appear so believable.
That he will also be inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame is indeed a well deserved honor. And should be an incentive to others of all Tribes to work hard to make their own wish come true.
As a Warrior and Actor, Wes Studi will long be remembered.
Well done my Brother!
His performance as the villain in The Last Of The Mohicans was all time memorable.
I am glad he received some level of recognition for his years of superb performances.
But what in an "Honorary" Academy Award?
But what is an ''Honorary'' Academy Award?
Based on what Wiki sez - they don't know either, but it's not a presentable Academy Award??????
There are a number of article on it and all say basically what Wiki is saying. It is usually presented at the Governors Awards.
Excellent, thank you for that Kavika.
I think it is a CYA bullshit award to cross some Ts and dot some Is in the PC realm for being cowards for having never recognized Wes for his actual past and present achievements.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Ah. I was going to say, it should have been presented during the Oscar broadcast.
Agree, and with a real Academy Award.
Exactly. An award for his body of work.
To me it kind of diminishes its impact doing it this way, as most people will not even know he received what he did. And he does deserve it.
Exactly.
It boils down to the same old story of how Native Americans are viewed/treated/respected in the mainstream, regardless of the situation of the moment.
This is a clip from his performance as Wovaka (Jack Wilson) of the Northern Paiute from the movie, ''Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee''..from the book by Dee Brown of the same name.
This is the Ghost Dance which led to the massacre at Wounded Knee.
Beautiful.
Congratulations to Wes! He was amazing in "Dances With Wolves" and "The Last of the Mohicans"
He is a great actor no doubt and very deserving of this award. But I am kind of shocked that one was never given to Graham Greene. Maybe he will be next?
Hopefully, this will get more Indians the recognition they deserve.
There are many,
Chief Dan George in, Little Big Man....nominated for an academy award as best supporting actor.
Will Sampson as Chief Bromden in, ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest''.
Adam Beach....many performences
I could go on but they are a couple of my favorites, Graham Greene is another favorite of mine
Chief San George did an awesome job in "Little Big Man". I watched that movie over and over many times, and it never ceased to inspire me.
"Dances With Wolves" was another that I enjoyed watching many times. It was really great to see movies that used actual Native Americans instead of white people dressed as Indians.
Correction....that should be Chief DAN George......(sigh)
Still love the movie, and partly for that reason. I'm sure it is easier to cast Native Americans for roles that actually attempt to express some of the beauty and character of the people too.
Graham Greene, a great Canadian actor, and Chief Dan George - both deserve to be honoured. I'm glad to see that Wes Studi was finally recognized for his body of work.
I've read "The last of the Mohicans" many times over the years. The book is now even better with Will's image as Magua forever installed as you work through the chapters.