A Native American actor of the Creek Nation, Sampson's "big break" came from his memorable role in Vol au-dessus d'un nid de coucou (1975) opposite Jack Nicholson. He was also starred opposite Clint Eastwood in the western Josey Wales hors-la-loi (1976). He had supporting roles in Orca (1977), Le bison blanc (1977) and Fish Hawk (1979). In 1986, he co-starred in Poltergeist II (1986) as a Native American shaman. He died of complications from kidney failure and malnutrition during heart and lung replacement surgery in 1987 and was buried on the reservation where he grew up.
