Nick Ramus: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Film: Citation for Caddie Woodlawn
→‎Television: Fixed typo
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(24 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American actor (1929–2007)}}
{{Short description|American actor (1929–2007)}}
{{original research|date=January 2012}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image =
| image =
| birth_name = Nickolas George Ramus
| birth_name = Nickolas George Ramus
| birth_date = {{birth date|1929|09|09}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1929|09|09}}
| birth_place = [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| birth_place = [[Seattle]], Washington, US
| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|5|30|1929|09|09}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|5|30|1929|09|09}}
| death_place = [[Benson, Arizona]]
| death_place = [[Benson, Arizona]], US
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
}}
}}
'''Nickolas George Ramus''', also known and credited as '''Nick Ramus''', (September 9, 1929 – May 30, 2007)<ref name="ImageMakersBio">{{cite book |last1=Garcia Berumen |first1=Frank Javier |title=American Indian Image Makers of Hollywood |date=4 December 2019 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476678139 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Indian_Image_Makers_of_Hollywoo/pkK9DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Nick+Ramus+Harriet+Howard&pg=PT218&printsec=frontcover |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> was a [[Blackfoot Confederacy|Blackfoot]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Special depicts Indian surrender |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/333662981/?terms=%22Nick%2BRamus%22 |work=The Tampa Times |date=April 12, 1975 |location=Florida, Tampa |page=41|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = September 25, 2018}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] actor, best known for his appearances on [[television]].
'''Nickolas George Ramus''', also known and credited as '''Nick Ramus''', (September 9, 1929 – May 30, 2007)<ref name="ImageMakersBio">{{cite book |last1=Garcia Berumen |first1=Frank Javier |title=American Indian Image Makers of Hollywood |date=4 December 2019 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476678139 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pkK9DwAAQBAJ&dq=Nick+Ramus&pg=PT218 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> was a [[Blackfoot Confederacy|Blackfoot]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Special depicts Indian surrender |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/333662981/?terms=%22Nick%2BRamus%22 |work=The Tampa Times |date=April 12, 1975 |location=Florida, Tampa |page=41|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = September 25, 2018}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] actor, best known for his appearances on [[television]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Ramos grew up in Spokane, Washington and later became a professional actor.<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />
Ramus was born in [[Seattle]], Washington, and grew up in [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]],<ref name="ImageMakersBio" /> but as a boy, his family moved to the [[Blackfeet Nation|Blackfeet Reservation]] in [[Browning, Montana]].

He eventually moved back to Washington, obtaining a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[chemistry]], while [[Academic minor|minoring]] in [[zoology]]. After dropping out of his first year in medical school, he migrated south, competing in boxing and motorcycle races.

In [[San Francisco]], Ramus received coaching in drama and voice, eventually leading to work in commercials. Several years later, he moved to [[Los Angeles]] and picked roles in films and television.<ref name="TucsonBio">{{cite news |last1=Matas |first1=Kimberly |title=Nick Ramus: Actor was 'a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/nick-ramus-actor-was-a-what-you-see-is-what-you-get-kind-of-guy/article_d363d4d4-6ee0-578c-84e5-0375da5e597d.html |access-date=27 August 2022 |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=15 June 2007}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Being of both Blackfoot and [[Greeks|Greek]]<ref name="TucsonBio" /> ancestry, Ramus portrayed American Indian and [[Hispanic]] characters during his 30-year career.

Ramus' television debut was a role in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series, ''[[ABC's Wide World of Entertainment|The Wide World of Mystery]]'' (1973).<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />
Ramus' television debut was a role in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series, ''[[ABC's Wide World of Entertainment|The Wide World of Mystery]]'' (1973).<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />


In television movies and [[miniseries]], he appeared as Grey Cloud in ''[[Born to the Wind]]''<ref name="etvs">{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|date=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-6477-7|page=125|edition=2nd}}</ref> (1981), and as Arapaho Chief Lost Eagle in the miniseries ''[[Centennial (miniseries)|Centennial]]''<ref name="AIRcentinal">{{cite book |title=American Indian Review: Issues 19-29 |date=1999 |publisher=Twin Light Trail |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Indian_Review/U9ZrAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Centennial%22&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Centennial%22&printsec=frontcover |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> (1978-1979), and as [[Red Cloud]] in ''[[Son of the Morning Star (film)|Son of the Morning Star]]'' (1991).<ref name="NYmagRedCloud">{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=John |title=Television: Home of the Braves |date=4 February 1991 |publisher=New York Magazine |page=41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ugCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Son+of+the+Morning+Star%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih18bDqOf5AhV_L0QIHWjQASEQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=%22Nick%20Ramus%22%20%22Son%20of%20the%20Morning%20Star%22&f=false |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> He also appeared as Mangas in the [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT]] film ''[[Geronimo (1993 film)|Geronimo]]'' (1993).<ref name="GeronimoMangas">{{cite book |last1=Hilger |first1=Michael |title=Native Americans in the Movies: Portrayals from Silent Films to the Present |date=16 October 2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=9781442240025 |page=400 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Native_Americans_in_the_Movies/9PuICgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Geronimo%22&pg=PA400&printsec=frontcover |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
In television movies and [[miniseries]], he appeared as Grey Cloud in ''[[Born to the Wind]]''<ref name="etvs">{{cite book|last1=Terrace|first1=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010|date=2011|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|location=Jefferson, N.C.|isbn=978-0-7864-6477-7|page=125|edition=2nd}}</ref> (1981), as Arapaho Chief Lost Eagle in ''[[Centennial (miniseries)|Centennial]]''<ref name="AIRcentinal">{{cite book |title=American Indian Review: Issues 19-29 |date=1999 |publisher=Twin Light Trail |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U9ZrAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Centennial%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> (1978-1979), as Tehohane in ''[[The Chisholms]]''<ref name="TucsonBio" /> (1980), and as [[Red Cloud]] in ''[[Son of the Morning Star (film)|Son of the Morning Star]]'' (1991).<ref name="NYmagRedCloud">{{cite book |last1=Leonard |first1=John |title=Television: Home of the Braves |date=4 February 1991 |publisher=New York Magazine |page=41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ugCAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Son+of+the+Morning+Star%22&pg=PA41 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> Ramus also appeared as Mangus Colorado in the [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT]] film ''[[Geronimo (1993 film)|Geronimo]]'' (1993).<ref name="GeronimoMangas">{{cite book |last1=Hilger |first1=Michael |title=Native Americans in the Movies: Portrayals from Silent Films to the Present |date=16 October 2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=9781442240025 |page=400 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PuICgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Geronimo%22&pg=PA400 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>

⚫
In television series, Ramus had a recurring role in the [[soap opera]] ''[[Falcon Crest]]''{{r|etvs|page1=323}} as Gus Nunouz, and as Chief [[Black Kettle]] in ''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]''.<ref name="Quinn">{{cite book |last1=Brode |first1=Douglas |title=Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present |date=2010 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=9780292783317 |page=293 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o8uLbvRWBSAC&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Black+Kettle%22&pg=PA293 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> Guest appearances also included ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', ''[[Harry and the Hendersons (TV series)|Harry and the Hendersons]]'', ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'',<ref name="AIRcentinal" /> ''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'', ''[[Northern Exposure]]'', ''[[Stingray (1985 TV series)|Stingray]]'', and ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'', among others.<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />

⚫
On the big screen, Ramus' film debut was a role in ''[[Black Eye (film)|Black Eye]]'' (1974).<ref name="BlackAct" /> He would go on to star in the first Native American language film, ''[[Windwalker (1980 film)|Windwalker]]'' (1980).<ref name="WindStock">{{cite book |last1=Fuller |first1=Linda K. |last2=Loukides |first2=Paul |title=Beyond the Stars: Stock characters in American popular film: Volume 1 |date=1990 |publisher=Bowling Green University Popular Press |isbn=9780879724795 |page=13 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3BMM2wGKTQ4C&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22&pg=PA13 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> Other film roles include ''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again]]''<ref name="AAApple" /> (1979) as Indian Chief, ''[[Invasion U.S.A. (1985 film)|Invasion U.S.A.]]'' (1985), ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]''<ref name="SThelmsman">{{cite book |last1=Okuda |first1=Michael |last2=Okuda |first2=Denise |last3=Mirek |first3=Debbie |title=The Star Trek Encyclopedia |date=17 May 2011 |publisher=Pocket Books/Star Trek |isbn=9781451646887 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbYf2l7gczUC&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Star+Trek%22&pg=PT1804 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> (1986) as ''Saratoga'' Helmsman, ''[[Love at Stake]]''<ref name="Wannatoka">{{cite book |last1=Willis |first1=John A. |title=Screen World: Volume 40 |date=1989 |publisher=Crown Publishers |page=120 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=osszAQAAIAAJ |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> (1987) as Chief Wannatoka, ''[[Journey to Spirit Island]]'' (1992), and ''[[3 Ninjas Knuckle Up]]'' (1995), among others.<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />


In 2006, Ramus took the role as Local Guy in the independent short film, ''Alma'' (2007) featuring Carmen Corral (as Alma) who portrays a Mexican-immigrant teenager, unaware that she is undocumented. The film's executive producer was Victoria Westover, a program director for the Hanson Film Institute at the [[University of Arizona]].<ref name="TucsonBio" />
⚫
In television series he had a recurring roles in the [[soap opera]] ''[[Falcon Crest]]''{{r|etvs|page1=323}} as Gus Nunouz, and as Chief [[Black Kettle]] in ''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]''.<ref name="Quinn">{{cite book |last1=Brode |first1=Douglas |title=Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present |date=2010 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=9780292783317 |page=293 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Shooting_Stars_of_the_Small_Screen/o8uLbvRWBSAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Black+Kettle%22&pg=PA293&printsec=frontcover |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> Guest appearances also include ''[[Gunsmoke]]'', ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]''<ref name="AIRcentinal" />, ''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'', ''[[Northern Exposure]]'', ''[[Stingray (1985 TV series)|Stingray]]'', and ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]''.<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />


Ramus also wrote, ''An Evening with Sitting Bull'' in the 1990s, from which he performed a one-man show.<ref name="EveSit">{{cite book |last1=Zalar |first1=Paula |title=American Indian Review: Issues 19-29 |date=1999 |publisher=Twin Light Trail |pages=4,29,31 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U9ZrAAAAMAAJ |access-date=27 August 2022 |chapter=A Day with Nick Ramus... An Evening with Sitting Bull}}</ref>
⚫
On the big screen, Ramus' film debut was a role in ''[[Black Eye (film)|Black Eye]]'' (1974)<ref name="BlackAct" />. He would go on to star in the first Native American language film ''[[Windwalker (1980 film)|Windwalker]]'' (1980).<ref name="WindStock">{{cite book |last1=Fuller |first1=Linda K. |last2=Loukides |first2=Paul |title=Beyond the Stars: Stock characters in American popular film: Volume 1 |date=1990 |publisher=Bowling Green University Popular Press |isbn=9780879724795 |page=13 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Beyond_the_Stars_Stock_characters_in_Ame/3BMM2wGKTQ4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22&pg=PA13&printsec=frontcover |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> Other film roles include ''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again]]''<ref name="AAApple" /> (1979) as Indian Chief, ''[[Invasion U.S.A. (1985 film)|Invasion U.S.A.]]'' (1985), ''[[Love at Stake]]''<ref name="Wannatoka">{{cite book |last1=Willis |first1=John A. |title=Screen World: Volume 40 |date=1989 |publisher=Crown Publishers |page=120 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Screen_World/osszAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> (1987) as Chief Wannatoka, ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]''<ref name="SThelmsman">{{cite book |last1=Okuda |first1=Michael |last2=Okuda |first2=Denise |last3=Mirek |first3=Debbie |title=The Star Trek Encyclopedia |date=17 May 2011 |publisher=Pocket Books/Star Trek |isbn=9781451646887 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Star_Trek_Encyclopedia/cbYf2l7gczUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Star+Trek%22&pg=PT1804&printsec=frontcover |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref> (1986) as ''Saratoga'' Helmsman, and ''[[3 Ninjas Knuckle Up]]'' (1995).<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Ramus married Harriet Mary Howard (1948&ndash;1955) and had three children.<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />
Ramus married Harriet Mary Howard and had three children.<ref name="ImageMakersBio" /> He was remarried to Kaysie McCallister in 1995, and moved to the [[San Pedro River (Arizona)|San Pedro River]] valley area, near [[Benson, Arizona|Benson]], [[Arizona]] in 2002. By that time he had retired, except for occasional appearances.<ref name="TucsonBio" />


==Death==
==Death==
On May 30, 2007, Ramus died in [[Benson, Arizona]] at age 77.<ref name="opa">{{cite book |last1=Lentz |first1=Harris M., III |title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2007: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture |date=2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786434817 |page=300 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t3zGCwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22&pg=PA300 |access-date=26 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
Ramus developed pneumonia in January of 2007, and doctors found a [[neoplasm]] in his lungs. He opted out of surgery that could have potentially been debilitating.<ref name="TucsonBio" /> On May 30, 2007, Ramus died in [[Benson, Arizona]] at age 77.<ref name="opa">{{cite book |last1=Lentz |first1=Harris M. III |title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2007: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture |date=2008 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780786434817 |page=300 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t3zGCwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22&pg=PA300 |access-date=26 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 40: Line 48:
|-
|-
|1974
|1974
|''[[Black Eye (film)|Black Eye]]''<ref name="BlackAct">{{cite book |last1=Parish |first1=James Robert |last2=Hill |first2=George A. |last3=Hill |first3=George H. |title=Black Action Films: Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 235 Theatrical and Made-for-television Releases |date=1989 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780899504568 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Black_Action_Films/ZHtZAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Nick%20Ramus |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[Black Eye (film)|Black Eye]]''<ref name="BlackAct">{{cite book |last1=Parish |first1=James Robert |last2=Hill |first2=George A. |last3=Hill |first3=George H. |title=Black Action Films: Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 235 Theatrical and Made-for-television Releases |date=1989 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9780899504568 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHtZAAAAMAAJ&q=Nick%20Ramus |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|1979
|1979
|''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again]]''<ref name="AAApple">{{cite book |last1=Sarno |first1=Art |title=Academy Awards |date=1980 |publisher=E S E California |isbn=9780912076379 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Academy_Awards_Oscar_1980_Annual/bl0hV_v0kmQC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again]]''<ref name="AAApple">{{cite book |last1=Sarno |first1=Art |title=Academy Awards |date=1980 |publisher=E S E California |isbn=9780912076379 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bl0hV_v0kmQC |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|Indian Chief
|Indian Chief
|
|
Line 70: Line 78:
|-
|-
|1988
|1988
|''[[Journey to Spirit Island]]''<ref name="IronHawkMPA">{{cite book |title=The Motion Picture Annual |date=1989 |publisher=CineBooks |page=88 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Motion_Picture_Annual/UhUIAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Nick%20Ramus |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[Journey to Spirit Island]]''<ref name="IronHawkMPA">{{cite book |title=The Motion Picture Annual |date=1989 |publisher=CineBooks |page=88 |isbn=9780933997219 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UhUIAQAAMAAJ&q=Nick%20Ramus |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|Tom
|Tom
|
|
|-
|-
|1989
|1989
|''Caddie Woodlawn''<ref name="FFGcw">{{cite book |last1=Maltin |first1=Leonard |title=Leonard Maltin's Family Film Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Penguin Group |isbn=9780451197146 |page=91 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Leonard_Maltin_s_Family_Film_Guide/b9FNfsXY_ogC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''Caddie Woodlawn''<ref name="FFGcw">{{cite book |last1=Maltin |first1=Leonard |title=Leonard Maltin's Family Film Guide |date=1999 |publisher=Penguin Group |isbn=9780451197146 |page=91 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9FNfsXY_ogC |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|Chief Tukenbheska
|Chief Tukenbheska
|
|
Line 88: Line 96:
|Mr. Godfrey
|Mr. Godfrey
|
|
|-
|2007
|''Alma''<ref name="TucsonBio" />
|Local Guy
|Independent Short Film
|-
|-
|2007
|2007
Line 113: Line 126:
|-
|-
|1975
|1975
|''[[I Will Fight No More Forever]]''<ref name="NoMore4ever">{{cite book |last1=Bowker |first1=R.R. |title=Bowker's Complete Video Directory: Volumes 1-4 |date=1992 |publisher=R R Bowker Publishing |page=488 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bowker_s_Complete_Video_Directory/1UcbAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Nick%20Ramus%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[I Will Fight No More Forever]]''<ref name="NoMore4ever">{{cite book |last1=Bowker |first1=R.R. |title=Bowker's Complete Video Directory: Volumes 1-4 |date=1992 |publisher=R R Bowker Publishing |page=488 |isbn=9780835237680 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1UcbAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Nick%20Ramus%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|Rainbow
|Rainbow
|TV movie
|TV movie
Line 135: Line 148:
|''[[Centennial (TV miniseries)|Centennial]]''
|''[[Centennial (TV miniseries)|Centennial]]''
|Lost Eagle
|Lost Eagle
|4 episodes
|Episodes: "The Wagon and the Elephant", "For as Long as the Waters Flow", "The Massacre", "The Scream of Eagles"
|-
|-
|1979
|1979
|''[[The Chisholms]]''
|''[[The Chisholms]]''
|Tehohane
|Tehohane
|TV Mini-Series
|TV miniseries
|-
|-
|1981–1982
|1981–1982
|''[[Falcon Crest]]''
|''[[Falcon Crest]]''
|Gus Nunouz
|Gus Nunouz
|13 Episodes
|13 episodes
|-
|-
|1982
|1982
Line 155: Line 168:
|''[[Born to the Wind]]''
|''[[Born to the Wind]]''
|Grey Cloud
|Grey Cloud
|TV Series
|TV series
|-
|-
|1982
|1982
|''[[The Mystic Warrior]]''<ref name="GWPOlepi">{{cite book |last1=Parish |first1=James Robert |last2=Pitts |first2=Michael R. |title=The Great Western Pictures II |date=1988 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810821064 |page=231 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Great_Western_Pictures_II/34wYAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Nick%20Ramus%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[The Mystic Warrior]]''<ref name="GWPOlepi">{{cite book |last1=Parish |first1=James Robert |last2=Pitts |first2=Michael R. |title=The Great Western Pictures II |date=1988 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810821064 |page=231 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=34wYAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Nick%20Ramus%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|Chief Olepi
|Chief Olepi
|TV movie
|TV movie
|-
|-
|1985
|1985
|''[[Tall Tales & Legends]]''<ref name="SixTensTallTales">{{cite book |last1=Marill |first1=Alvin H. |title=Six Decades of Sagebrush Sheriffs, Scalawags, and Sidewinders |date=June 2011 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810881334 |page=94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TrIspiOaqboC |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[Tall Tales & Legends]]''
|Sitting Bull
|Sitting Bull
|Episode: "Annie Oakley"
|Episode: "Annie Oakley"
|-
|1987
|''[[Capitol (TV series)|Capitol]]''<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />
|General Abdullah
|Episode #1.1270
|-
|1987
|''[[Stingray (1985 TV series)|Stingray]]''<ref name="ImageMakersBio" />
|Alexander Bondy
|Episode: "The Neniwa"
|-
|-
|1989
|1989
|''[[Paradise (American TV series)|Paradise]]''<ref name="TVGparadise">{{cite book |title=TV Guide: Volume 38, Issues 17-21 |date=1990 |publisher=Triangle Publications |page=78 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7No4AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Nick%20Ramus%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[Paradise (American TV series)|Paradise]]''
|Chief Black Cloud
|Chief Black Cloud
|Episode: "The Burial Ground"
|Episode: "The Burial Ground"
|-
|-
|1989
|1989
|''[[Monsters (American TV series)|Monsters]]''<ref name="MonsTT">{{cite book |last1=Muir |first1=John Kenneth |title=Terror Television: American Series, 1970-1999 |date=25 February 2013 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=9781476604169 |page=351 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yxpDUAFrwfwC&dq=%22Nick+Ramus%22+%22Half+as+Old+as+Time%22&pg=PT351 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[Monsters (American TV series)|Monsters]]''
|Temple Guide
|Temple Guide
|Episode: "Half as Old as Time"
|Episode: "Half as Old as Time"
Line 183: Line 206:
|-
|-
|1991
|1991
|''[[Harry and the Hendersons (TV series)|Harry and the Hendersons]]''<ref name="HnH">{{cite book |last1=Lentz III |first1=Harris M. |title=Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows |date=2001 |publisher=McFarland |page=1866 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bWRZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Nick%20Ramus%22%20%22Harry%20and%20the%20Hendersons%22 |access-date=27 August 2022}}</ref>
|''[[Harry and the Hendersons (TV series)|Harry and the Hendersons]]''
|Medicine Man
|Medicine Man
|Episode: "Roots, The Herb"
|Episode: "Roots, The Herb"
Line 194: Line 217:
|1993
|1993
|''[[Geronimo (1993 film)|Geronimo]]''
|''[[Geronimo (1993 film)|Geronimo]]''
|Mangus Colorado
|Mangas
|TV movie
|TV movie
|-
|-
Line 200: Line 223:
|''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]''
|''[[Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman]]''
|Chief Black Kettle
|Chief Black Kettle
|10 episodes
|Episodes: "Pilot", "A Cowboy's Lullaby", "Running Ghost", "The Prisoner", "The Incident", "The Offering", "Buffalo Soldiers", "Indian Agent", "Washita: Parts 1 & 2"
|-
|-
|1995
|1995
Line 213: Line 236:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
* {{Find a Grave|19845934}}
* {{IMDb name|0709142}}
* {{IMDb name|0709142}}
{{Memoryalpha}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 222: Line 243:
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:Blackfoot people]]
[[Category:Blackfeet Tribe people]]
[[Category:Native American male actors]]
[[Category:Native American male actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]

Latest revision as of 19:04, 29 December 2023

Nick Ramus
Born
Nickolas George Ramus

(1929-09-09)September 9, 1929
Seattle, Washington, US
DiedMay 30, 2007(2007-05-30) (aged 77)
Benson, Arizona, US
OccupationActor

Nickolas George Ramus, also known and credited as Nick Ramus, (September 9, 1929 – May 30, 2007)[1] was a Blackfoot[2] Native American actor, best known for his appearances on television.

Early life[edit]

Ramus was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up in Spokane,[1] but as a boy, his family moved to the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana.

He eventually moved back to Washington, obtaining a bachelor's degree in chemistry, while minoring in zoology. After dropping out of his first year in medical school, he migrated south, competing in boxing and motorcycle races.

In San Francisco, Ramus received coaching in drama and voice, eventually leading to work in commercials. Several years later, he moved to Los Angeles and picked roles in films and television.[3]

Career[edit]

Being of both Blackfoot and Greek[3] ancestry, Ramus portrayed American Indian and Hispanic characters during his 30-year career.

Ramus' television debut was a role in the ABC series, The Wide World of Mystery (1973).[1]

In television movies and miniseries, he appeared as Grey Cloud in Born to the Wind[4] (1981), as Arapaho Chief Lost Eagle in Centennial[5] (1978-1979), as Tehohane in The Chisholms[3] (1980), and as Red Cloud in Son of the Morning Star (1991).[6] Ramus also appeared as Mangus Colorado in the TNT film Geronimo (1993).[7]

In television series, Ramus had a recurring role in the soap opera Falcon Crest[4]: 323  as Gus Nunouz, and as Chief Black Kettle in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.[8] Guest appearances also included Gunsmoke, Harry and the Hendersons, Little House on the Prairie,[5] MacGyver, Northern Exposure, Stingray, and Walker, Texas Ranger, among others.[1]

On the big screen, Ramus' film debut was a role in Black Eye (1974).[9] He would go on to star in the first Native American language film, Windwalker (1980).[10] Other film roles include The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again[11] (1979) as Indian Chief, Invasion U.S.A. (1985), Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home[12] (1986) as Saratoga Helmsman, Love at Stake[13] (1987) as Chief Wannatoka, Journey to Spirit Island (1992), and 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up (1995), among others.[1]

In 2006, Ramus took the role as Local Guy in the independent short film, Alma (2007) featuring Carmen Corral (as Alma) who portrays a Mexican-immigrant teenager, unaware that she is undocumented. The film's executive producer was Victoria Westover, a program director for the Hanson Film Institute at the University of Arizona.[3]

Ramus also wrote, An Evening with Sitting Bull in the 1990s, from which he performed a one-man show.[14]

Personal life[edit]

Ramus married Harriet Mary Howard and had three children.[1] He was remarried to Kaysie McCallister in 1995, and moved to the San Pedro River valley area, near Benson, Arizona in 2002. By that time he had retired, except for occasional appearances.[3]

Death[edit]

Ramus developed pneumonia in January of 2007, and doctors found a neoplasm in his lungs. He opted out of surgery that could have potentially been debilitating.[3] On May 30, 2007, Ramus died in Benson, Arizona at age 77.[15]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1974 Black Eye[9]
1979 The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again[11] Indian Chief
1980 Windwalker Smiling Wolf / Crow Brother / Narrator
1985 Invasion U.S.A. Clark Little Hawk
1986 Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Saratoga Helmsman
1987 Love at Stake Chief Wannatoka
1988 Journey to Spirit Island[16] Tom
1989 Caddie Woodlawn[17] Chief Tukenbheska
1995 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up Chief Roundcreek
2006 The Treasure of Painted Forest[1] Mr. Godfrey
2007 Alma[3] Local Guy Independent Short Film
2007 Rapturious Voice Final film role

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1973 The Wide World of Mystery
1974 Gunsmoke Lynit Episode: "The Iron Blood of Courage"
1975 I Will Fight No More Forever[18] Rainbow TV movie
1976 The Quest [citation needed] Iron Hawk TV movie
1977 Little House on the Prairie Little Crow Episode: "Freedom Flight"
1977 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color[1] Tioga Episode: "Kit Carson and the Mountain Men: Parts 1 & 2"
1978–1979 Centennial Lost Eagle 4 episodes
1979 The Chisholms Tehohane TV miniseries
1981–1982 Falcon Crest Gus Nunouz 13 episodes
1982 The Legend of Walks Far Woman[1] Left Hand Bull TV movie
1982 Born to the Wind Grey Cloud TV series
1982 The Mystic Warrior[19] Chief Olepi TV movie
1985 Tall Tales & Legends[20] Sitting Bull Episode: "Annie Oakley"
1987 Capitol[1] General Abdullah Episode #1.1270
1987 Stingray[1] Alexander Bondy Episode: "The Neniwa"
1989 Paradise[21] Chief Black Cloud Episode: "The Burial Ground"
1989 Monsters[22] Temple Guide Episode: "Half as Old as Time"
1990 Northern Exposure Chief Episode: "Soapy Sanderson"
1991 Harry and the Hendersons[23] Medicine Man Episode: "Roots, The Herb"
1991 MacGyver Standing Wolf Episode: "Trail of Tears"
1993 Geronimo Mangus Colorado TV movie
1993–1995 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Chief Black Kettle 10 episodes
1995 Walker, Texas Ranger Bright Water Episode: "On Sacred Ground"

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Garcia Berumen, Frank Javier (4 December 2019). American Indian Image Makers of Hollywood. McFarland. ISBN 9781476678139. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Special depicts Indian surrender". The Tampa Times. Florida, Tampa. April 12, 1975. p. 41. Retrieved September 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Matas, Kimberly (15 June 2007). "Nick Ramus: Actor was 'a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  5. ^ a b American Indian Review: Issues 19-29. Twin Light Trail. 1999. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  6. ^ Leonard, John (4 February 1991). Television: Home of the Braves. New York Magazine. p. 41. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  7. ^ Hilger, Michael (16 October 2015). Native Americans in the Movies: Portrayals from Silent Films to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 400. ISBN 9781442240025. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  8. ^ Brode, Douglas (2010). Shooting Stars of the Small Screen: Encyclopedia of TV Western Actors, 1946–Present. University of Texas Press. p. 293. ISBN 9780292783317. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  9. ^ a b Parish, James Robert; Hill, George A.; Hill, George H. (1989). Black Action Films: Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 235 Theatrical and Made-for-television Releases. McFarland. ISBN 9780899504568. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  10. ^ Fuller, Linda K.; Loukides, Paul (1990). Beyond the Stars: Stock characters in American popular film: Volume 1. Bowling Green University Popular Press. p. 13. ISBN 9780879724795. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  11. ^ a b Sarno, Art (1980). Academy Awards. E S E California. ISBN 9780912076379. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  12. ^ Okuda, Michael; Okuda, Denise; Mirek, Debbie (17 May 2011). The Star Trek Encyclopedia. Pocket Books/Star Trek. ISBN 9781451646887. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  13. ^ Willis, John A. (1989). Screen World: Volume 40. Crown Publishers. p. 120. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  14. ^ Zalar, Paula (1999). "A Day with Nick Ramus... An Evening with Sitting Bull". American Indian Review: Issues 19-29. Twin Light Trail. pp. 4, 29, 31. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  15. ^ Lentz, Harris M. III (2008). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2007: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 300. ISBN 9780786434817. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  16. ^ The Motion Picture Annual. CineBooks. 1989. p. 88. ISBN 9780933997219. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  17. ^ Maltin, Leonard (1999). Leonard Maltin's Family Film Guide. Penguin Group. p. 91. ISBN 9780451197146. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  18. ^ Bowker, R.R. (1992). Bowker's Complete Video Directory: Volumes 1-4. R R Bowker Publishing. p. 488. ISBN 9780835237680. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  19. ^ Parish, James Robert; Pitts, Michael R. (1988). The Great Western Pictures II. Scarecrow Press. p. 231. ISBN 9780810821064. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  20. ^ Marill, Alvin H. (June 2011). Six Decades of Sagebrush Sheriffs, Scalawags, and Sidewinders. Scarecrow Press. p. 94. ISBN 9780810881334. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  21. ^ TV Guide: Volume 38, Issues 17-21. Triangle Publications. 1990. p. 78. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  22. ^ Muir, John Kenneth (25 February 2013). Terror Television: American Series, 1970-1999. McFarland. p. 351. ISBN 9781476604169. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  23. ^ Lentz III, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. p. 1866. Retrieved 27 August 2022.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nick_Ramus&oldid=1192505886"