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Wes Studi to Make Oscars History for Native American Actors

Associated Press

   LOS ANGELES - When Cherokee actor Wes Studi was thinking about moving
   to Los Angeles to take a shot at being an actor in the 1980s, he asked
   a friend if it was a good idea. The friend said "why not? There aren't
   many Native American actors."

   Instead of a deterrent, Studi took that as a plus.

   "I thought, 'OK, so not a whole lot of competition then,'" Studi, 71,
   said laughing. "I thought why not take a leap and I did. And things
   turned out well."

   Although there was no way he could have known it at the time, the
   Tulsa, Oklahoma native came at the perfect time too. Hollywood had
   started to move beyond its deplorable past of casting white actors for
   indigenous roles and looking for more authenticity in casting. Some of
   his first films included "Dances With Wolves," "The Last of the
   Mohicans" and "Geronimo: An American Legend" that would lead to a
   fruitful 30-year career that's still very active.

   This Sunday, Studi will make history as the first ever Native American
   Oscar recipient at the 11th annual Governors Awards, alongside fellow
   honorary Oscar honorees David Lynch and Lina Wertmuller.

   "I feel very honored about it," he said on a recent phone call from
   Santa Fe, New Mexico, which he has called home for the past 26 years.
   He just feels more comfortable living outside of Los Angeles, he said.

   Studi came to acting somewhat late in life. He went to agriculture
   school, served in the Oklahoma National Guard and even went to Vietnam
   before he stated dabbling in theater and local educational television.

   "I had a life before getting into this business. A non-acting life,"
   Studi said. "And it turns out that life has served me well. I can
   connect with characters I play simply by referencing real life. It's
   been very helpful over the years to have experienced life outside of
   entertainment."

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