John Trudell

John Trudell was an American actor who is best known for Smoke Signals, Powwow Highway, and Thunderheart. He was also a prominent activist and poet, known for his role in the American Indian Movement.

Personal and Family Life

John Trudell was born on February 15, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska, to a Santee Dakota father and a Mexican Indian mother. He was married twice, first to Fenicia Ordonez, with whom he divorced, and later to Tina Manning, with whom he had three children. Tragically, Tina and their children died in a suspicious fire in 1979, which deeply affected him and led him to step down from his role as National Chairman of the American Indian Movement.

Career and Activism

After serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War, Trudell became involved with the American Indian Movement, eventually leading it as National Chairman from 1973 to 1979. Following the loss of his family, he turned to poetry, music, and acting as outlets for his emotions and anger. He became a voice for Native American rights and continued to promote their issues through various forms of art.

Death and Legacy

John Trudell passed away on December 8, 2015, in Santa Clara, California, after a battle with cancer. His legacy as an activist and artist lives on, inspiring many to continue advocating for Native American rights. Trudell’s work has been recognized in various documentaries, including one produced by his partner, actress Marcheline Bertrand.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Smoke Signals 1998-06-26 Randy Peone
Powwow Highway 1989-02-24 Louie Short Hair
Dreamkeeper 2003-12-28 Coyote
A Thousand Roads 2005-01-23 Narrator (voice)
Incident at Oglala 1992-05-08 Self – National Spokesperson, American Indian Movement
Reel Injun 2010-02-19 Self
Trudell 2005-01-20 Self / Narrator (voice)
Thunderheart 1992-04-03 Jimmy Looks Twice
Extreme Measures 1996-09-27 Tony
On Deadly Ground 1994-02-18 Johnny Redfeather
No More Smoke Signals 2009-04-16 Self
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World 2017-09-22 Self
Dark Blood 2012-09-27 Indian #2
Making a Noise: A Native American Musical Journey with Robbie Robertson 1999-01-01 Self – Santee Sioux
Taking Alcatraz 2015-11-01 Self (archive footage)
The 11th Hour 2007-08-17 Himself
The West 1996-09-15 Self