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Wes Studi

Wes Studi

Actor · Born December 17, 1947 (78) · Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, USA

Oscar winner

Wesley "Wes" Studi (born December 17, 1947) is an American Cherokee actor, who has earned notability for his portrayals of Native Americans in film. He has appeared in well-received Academy Award-winning films, such as Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves, Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans, the award-winning Geronimo: An American Legend and the Academy Award-nominated film The New World (2005). He portrayed General Linus Abner (an analogue to the biblical Abner) in the NBC series Kings, and Eytukan in James Cameron's box office blockbuster Avatar.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 17, 1947 (78)
From
Nofire Hollow, Oklahoma, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
63 on MovieCove · 94 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

What are Wes Studi's films like?

Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
20%
Bonds
20%
Survival
17%
Society
16%
Self
16%
Power
7%
Ideas
4%
Justice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 33 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 11 · Dark 12

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 22 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 19 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 18 · Shifting 14 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 27 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 15 · Engaged 17 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 8 · Affecting 16 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 6 of 16 analyzed roles.

Shadow
6 of 16
Mentor
5 of 16
Ally
2 of 16
Hero
2 of 16
Shapeshifter
1 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Melancholic
18
Contemplative
10
Hopeful
10
Warm
8
Other
28

How their films linger

Hopeful16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet19
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Wes Studi's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 45 of their 63 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Wes Studi's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

94 credits, 63 with a MovieCove page; 11 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Avatar: Fire and Ash(2025)

    as E'ytukan

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Great Cherokee Grandmother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • The Midway Point(2024)

    as Mr. Williams

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Roof(2023)

    as Grandpa / Nick

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Mending the Line(2022)

    as Harrison

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Dadiwonisi (We Will Speak)(2023)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Love Song(2022)

    as Lito

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Quanah (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Spirit Rangers(2022)

    Show as Sunny

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Reservation Dogs(2021)

    Show 4 episodes · as Bucky

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Soul(2020)

    as Counselor Jerry (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Woke(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Spoon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Badland(2019)

    as Harlan Red

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Miracle Workers(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Sleeping Bear

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • A Dog's Way Home(2019)

    as Captain Mica

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Hostiles(2017)

    as Chief Yellow Hawk

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Condemned 2(2015)

    as Cyrus

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Ronnie BoDean (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Ronnie BoDean

  • Planes: Fire & Rescue(2014)

    as Windlifter

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Pie Lady of Pie Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • A Million Ways to Die in the West(2014)

    as Cochise

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Penny Dreadful(2014)

    Show 9 episodes · as Kaetenay

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Road to Paloma(2014)

    as Numay

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Sugar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Bishop

  • Battledogs(2013)

    as Captain Falcos

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Destination Planet Negro(2013)

    as Chief Bobby

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Finding Your Roots(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Being Flynn(2012)

    as Captain

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Hell on Wheels(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Chief Many Horses

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Dome of Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as DeWayne Moses

  • Ink: A Tale of Captivity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as King Philip

  • Avatar(2009)

    as Eytukan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Only Good Indian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Sam

  • 21 and a Wake-Up(2009)

    as General Gleason

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Call of the Wild(2009)

    as Hatcher

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Kings(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as General Linus Abner

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Undying(2009)

    as Lt. Frank Wascoe

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Joeseph Silverwing

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Pierce

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Older Than America(2008)

    as Richard Two Rivers

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • El Camino (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Dave

  • Comanche Moon(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Buffalo Hump

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Three Priests(2008)

    as Ben

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Cosmic Radio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sherriff Mike Nighthorse

  • Wolf Ridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Saving Grace(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby's Dad

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee(2007)

    as Wovoka · as Jack Wilson

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Seraphim Falls(2006)

    as Charon

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The New World(2005)

    as Opechancanough

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Miracle at Sage Creek(2005)

    as Chief Thomas

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Into the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Black Kettle

  • Animal(2005)

    as Creeper

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as William Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • A Thief of Time(2003)

    as Joe Leaphorn

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Edge of America(2004)

    as Cuch

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Coyote Waits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Joe Leaphorn

  • The Lone Ranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Kulakinah

  • Skinwalkers(2002)

    as Lt. Joe Leaphorn

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Undisputed(2002)

    as Mingo Pace

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Superfire(2002)

    as Joe Nighttrail

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • UC: Undercover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Road to Redemption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Frank Lightfoot

  • Christmas in the Clouds(2001)

    as Bingo Caller

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Ice Planet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Commander Jonah Trager

  • Wind River(2000)

    as Pocatello

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Mystery Men(1999)

    as Sphinx

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Soundman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Terry Leonard

  • Deep Rising(1998)

    as Hanover

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Killing Jar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Cameron

  • Promised Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Crazy Horse(1996)

    as Red Cloud

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Lone Justice: Showdown at Plum Creek (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Heat(1995)

    as Casals

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Laredo(1995)

    Show 3 episodes · as Famous Shoes

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Lone Justice 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as One Horse

  • Street Fighter(1994)

    as Sagat

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Geronimo: An American Legend(1993)

    as Geronimo

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Broken Chain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Seth / Chief / Speaker for the Tribes

  • Ned Blessing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Benson

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Last of the Mohicans(1992)

    as Magua

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Doors(1991)

    as Indian in Desert

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Dances with Wolves(1990)

    as Toughest Pawnee

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Flash(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Roller

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Powwow Highway(1989)

    as Buff

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • American Experience(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Ridge · as Warrior in Canoe

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Longarm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as The Ute

  • As Deep as the Grave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Tsali

  • Brave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Ernie

  • Candles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Exhale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as George

  • Terra Infirma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Grey Owl

  • The Pipeline (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Executive Producer · as Samuel Horse

  • Timber Lands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Russ

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 93 titles, 86 of them dated from 1988 to 2025; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Avatar (2009)

$2.9B worldwide

Highest rated

Heat (1995)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Avatar (2009)

Film career

19882025

Peak 2018 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting92 of 93: 91 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndProducing2 of 93: 1 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s19 · acting2000s34 · acting2010s19 · acting2020s11 · 10 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
89990919

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Won an Oscar in 2020.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Wes Studi's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 45; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 56th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 63 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 63 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

21 and a Wake-Up (2009)

95th percentile spread · 36% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Heat (1995)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Wes Studi's work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles43–85 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity15 titles8–53 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity13 titles20–87 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles11–38 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense11 titles34–72 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Wes Studi work with?

People who share at least 2 of Wes Studi's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Adam Beach shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles