Chief Yowlachie

Chief Yowlachie (August 15, 1890 – March 7, 1966), also known as Daniel Simmons; was a Native American actor from the Yakama tribe in the U.S. state of Washington,[1] known for playing supporting roles and bit parts in numerous films. He is perhaps best known for playing Two Jaw Quo, Nadine Groot's assistant cook, in the classic 1948 Western Red River.

Chief Yowlachie
Chief Yowlachie (right) with Gary Gray in a promotional poster for the 1951 film The Painted Hills
BornAugust 15, 1890
Yakima, Washington, U.S.
DiedMarch 7, 1966(1966-03-07) (aged 75)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeValhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California
NationalityNative American
Other namesDaniel Simmons (birth name)
Occupation(s)Actor, opera singer
SpouseLillian Simmons

Biography

On August 15, 1890, Yowlachie was born on the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington. He was educated at the Government Indian Trade School.[1]

From 1925 through 1930, Yowlachie made 12 films, 11 of which were Westerns. In his film debut, he played the title role in Tonio, Son of the Sierras (1925).[1]

A Bass-baritone, Yowlachie studied opera under Pasquale Amato and sang on radio and on stage (including performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra) from 1931 through 1939.[1] He sang at the White House on separate occasions for Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt.[2] His other performances included singing at the Pacific Southwest Exposition in Long Beach, California, in 1928 and the dedication of Griffith Park's Greek Theatre in 1930. He also performed in programs at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Los Angeles.[3]

Yowlachie resumed his film career in 1940, making 32 Westerns and two serials through 1955.[1] His roles included Quo in Red River (1948) and Geronimo in the serial Son of Geronimo: Apache Avenger (1952).[4] Despite his musical background, Yowlachie never sang in films in which he acted. The closest he came to singing on-screen was when his voice was used in a recorded prologue to a 1926 silent film.[2]

Some of his television appearances include "War Horse", an episode of The Lone Ranger and "Rope of Lies", an episode of The Virginian. He appeared twice on The Range Rider. He appeared as the Apache Geronimo in the 1950s syndicated television series Stories of the Century.

In 1962, Chief Yowlachie played "The Great Chief" in the episode "The Black Robe" of NBC's western series The Tall Man.

On March 7, 1966, Yowlachie died in Los Angeles, California, following a stroke. His funeral included "an Indian death chant and ritual". He is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.[5] At the time of his death, he was married to Lillian Simmons.[5]

Selected filmography

References
  1. Katchmer, George A. (20 May 2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 410. ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  2. "In Films Since '26". The Cincinnati Enquirer. United Press International. June 5, 1959. p. 22. Retrieved July 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Rosenthal, Nicolas G. (2012). Reimagining Indian Country: Native American Migration & Identity in Twentieth-century Los Angeles. University of North Carolina Press. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-8078-3555-5. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  4. Brode, Douglas (15 October 2009). Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present. University of Texas Press. p. 345. ISBN 978-0-292-71849-4. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  5. "Yakima Chief's Rites Set". Citizen News. California, Hollywood. March 11, 1966. p. 11. Retrieved July 3, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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