Frank Salsedo

Frank Sotonoma "Grey Wolf" Salsedo (May 20, 1929 – July 3, 2009) was a Native American actor. He was often cast in smaller parts centered on his Native American heritage.[1]

Frank Salsedo
Born	Frank Sotonoma Salsedo (1929-05-20)May 20, 1929 Santa Rosa, California, U.S.
Died	July 3, 2009(2009-07-03) (aged 80) Manteca, California, U.S.
Other names	"Grey Wolf"
Occupation	Actor / Acting coach & teacher
Years active	1975–2002

As an actor, Salsedo has performed in movies such as The Ghost Dance, released in 1980 in which he played Ocacio, Magic in the Water (1995) playing Uncle Kipper, Across the Great Divide (1976) in which he played Mosa, Creepshow 2 (1987) in which he played Ben Whitemoon (segment: Old Chief Wood'nhead), Journey to Spirit Island (1988) as Hoots and Best of the Best 2 (1993) in which he played Charlie.[2]

Early life and education

Frank Sotonoma Salsedo[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] was born on May 20, 1929 in Santa Rosa, California to Gilbert and Helen Salsedo. He had five brothers (Delano, Lovedale Richard, Gilbert, Hal and Kenny) and six sisters (Helen Rose, Jane, Lola, Gertrude, Vera and Donna). He graduated from the Sherman Institute and then enlisted in the United States Navy. After his discharge he became a CPA and graduated from Sawyer's Business College.[1][11]

Career

Salsedo was the President of Jay Silverheels Acting School in Los Angeles, where he found his dream job as an actor. As a member of the Screen Actors Guild he made over 50 movies and helped other Native Americans in the film industry.[1][11]

He portrayed the role of White Bird in the 1975 television movie, I Will Fight No More Forever.[12] Salsedo appeared in one episode of the short-lived 1977 series, Code R.[13] One of his earliest roles in film was as Ocacio in The Ghost Dance (1980).[14]

Salsedo played Charlie in Best of the Best 2 (1993).[15] In 1995, Salsedo played Uncle Kipper in Magic in the Water.[16][17] The next year, he portrayed Nakki in North Star (1996), opposite James Caan.[11] In 1998, he appeared alongside Chris Farley and Matthew Perry in Almost Heroes.[18] He appeared in six episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger.[19]

Personal life and death

Salsedo was the hereditary chief of the Wappo tribe of Sonoma County, California.[11] At the time of his death, Salsedo, along with the Mishewal Wappo Tribe, was involved in a federal recognition lawsuit.[20]

Salsedo was married to Leta Stephens and they had two daughters, Lynette and Eugenia, and two sons, Ramon and Rick. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Delano, his sister Helen Rose Hageman and his wife.[1]

In addition to his alias, "Grey Wolf",[1] Salsedo also had an additional nickname, "Beverly Hills".[9][10]

Salsedo died on July 3, 2009 in Manteca, California at the age of 80. He is survived by: his sisters Jane Couey, Lola Garcia, Gertrude Merrifield, Vera Guillory, Donna Walters; brothers Lovedale Richard, Gilbert, Hal, and Kenny Salsedo; children Lynnette Holmes, Ramon, Rick, and Eugenia Salsedo; grandchildren Mario Reno, Jasmine and Ryan Salsedo, Nicholas Noah; great-grandchildren Kailynn and Quinn Reno; nieces, nephews, and cousins.[1][11]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1976	Across The Great Divide	Mosa	Credited as Frank F. Salsedo
1979	Star Trek: The Motion Picture	Enterprise Crewmember	Uncredited
1980	The Ghost Dance	Ocacio	US video box title was Ghost Dance
1985	When Nature Calls	Gray Wolf	aka The Outdoorsters
1987	Creepshow 2	Ben Whitemoon	(segment "Old Chief Wood'nhead")
1988	Journey to Spirit Island	Hoots
1993	Best of the Best 2	Charlie
1994	Windrunner	Huck's Father	Voice
	Wolfridge
1995	A Boy Called Hate	Ted	Credited as Frank Sotonoma Salsedo
	Magic in the Water	Uncle Kipper
1996	North Star	Nakki
1998	Almost Heroes	Old Indian
1999	Grizzly Adams and the Legend of Dark Mountain	Silver Bear

Television

Year	Film/Series	Role	Notes
1975	I Will Fight No More Forever	White Bird
1976	The Quest	Indian Chief	Episode "The Longest Drive"
1977	Code R	Willie	Episode 1-1
1979	CBS Afternoon Playhouse	Joey and Redhawk	Credited as Frank Sotonoma Salsedo
1979	Centennial	Sam Lopez	Episode "The Scream Of Eagles"
1982	House Calls		Episode "It Ain't Necessary to Sew"
1982	The Legend of Walks Far Woman	Many Scalps	Made-for-TV movie
1983	Buffalo Bill		Episode "Buffalo Bill and the Movies"
1984	The Mystic Warrior	Sinte	Made-for-TV movie
1990	Northern Exposure	Anku	Episode "Brains, Know-How and Native Intelligence"
1990	Quantum Leap	Grandfather: Mr. Washakee (Kinu)	Episode "Freedom, November 22, 1970"
1990	Montana	Joe Hold His Gun	Television film
1993	Pickett Fences	Chippewa chief, "Bill"	Episode "Rights Of Passage" April 15, 1993
1995-2001	Walker, Texas Ranger	White Eagle	Various episodes: "Days Past"
1996	Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers	True of Heart	1 episode
1996	Power Rangers Zeo	Sam Trueheart	4 episodes
1998	JAG	Johnny Blackhorse	Episode "The Return of Jimmy Blackhorse"

References

1. "Frank Fernando "Grey Wolf" Salsedo Obituary: View Frank Salsedo's Obituary by Press Democrat". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
2. Frank Salesdo
3. Bama, James. "Portrait Of A Sioux". Retrieved 22 November 2015.
4. Stafford, Nikki (2004). Once Bitten: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Angel. ECW Press. ISBN 9781550226546.
5. Muir, John Kenneth (2004). The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film and Television, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9780786437559.
6. Pitts, Michael R. (2012). Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9780786463725.
7. "Raquel Welch Stars as Indian in World Premiere Drama on CTV". 26 May 1982. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
8. "Walker, Texas Ranger". The Ledger. 12 October 1997. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
9. Frank Salsedo biography at The New York Times
10. Frank Salsedo Overview at Turner Classic Movies
11. "Remembering Frank Salsedo". 20 May 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
12. Benbow, Charles (14 April 1975). "Heroic stand for freedom". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
13. Armstrong, Stephen B. (2011). Andrew V. McLaglen: The Life and Hollywood Career. McFarland. ISBN 9780786486700.
14. Hilger, Michael (2015). Native Americans in the Movies: Portrayals from Silent Films to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781442240025.
15. Monush, Barry; Willis, John (2000). Screen World 1994. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557832016.
16. Monush, Barry; Willis, John (1997). Screen World 1996. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557832528.
17. Berry, Mark F. The Dinosaur Filmography. McFarland. ISBN 9781476606743.
18. Monush, Barry; Willis, John (2000). Screen World 1999. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557834119.
19. "Season 6, Episode 4 Lucas, Part 2". TV Guide. 18 October 1997. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
20. "Mishewal Wappo Tribe waits for decision in recognition lawsuit". 26 February 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.

External links

• Frank Salsedo on IMDb