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 |