Dave Bald Eagle
Lakota chief and actor (1919–2016)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
David William Bald Eagle (April 8, 1919 – July 22, 2016[3]), also known as Chief David Beautiful Bald Eagle, was a Lakota actor, soldier, stuntman, and musician. He is perhaps best known for his appearance in the film Dances with Wolves (1990), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[3]
April 8, 1919
David Bald Eagle | |
|---|---|
Waniyetu Opi[1] | |
A photo of David Bald Eagle in 2003 By Phil Konstantin | |
| Lakota leader | |
| In office 1996–2016 | |
| First Chief of the United Indigenous Nations of The Americas[2] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David William Beautiful Bald Eagle April 8, 1919 |
| Died | July 22, 2016 (aged 97)[3] |
| Resting place | Black Hills National Cemetery |
| Spouses | |
| Relations |
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Mother tongue | Lakota |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
Branch |  United States Army |
Service years | 1936–1944 |
Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit |
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Conflicts | World War II: |
| Awards |
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Life and work
Dave Bald Eagle was born in a tipi on the west banks of Cherry Creek, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota.[5]
Bald Eagle first enlisted in the Fourth Cavalry of the United States Army and served out his enlistment. During World War II, he re-enlisted in the 82nd Airborne Division ("All American Division") where he fought in the Battle of Anzio, being awarded a Silver Star, and in the D-Day invasion of Normandy at which time he received a Purple Heart Medal when he was wounded.[6][7]
After the Second World War, Bald Eagle worked in a number of occupations including drummer, race car driver, semi-pro baseball player, and rodeo performer before beginning a career in Hollywood films. He was the grandson of famous Lakota warrior White Bull.[6]
Selected filmography
- Dances with Wolves (1990) as technical advisor and extra[8][9]
- Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee (1994) as Old man at HQ
- Skins (2002) as Old Soldier
- Into the West (2005) episode "Wheel to the Stars" as Two Arrows
- Imprint (2007) as Medicine Man
- Rich Hall's Inventing the Indian (2012) (TV Movie documentary) as himself
- River of Fundament (2014) as Norman III
- Neither Wolf Nor Dog (2016) as Dan