Chief Yowlachie

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Chief Yowlachie
opera singer
SpouseLillian Simmons

Chief Yowlachie (August 15, 1890 – March 7, 1966), also known as Daniel Simmons; was a

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
.

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

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. ^
    ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8
    . Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  2. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  3. ISBN 978-0-8078-3555-5
    . Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  4. ISBN 978-0-292-71849-4
    . Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  5. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .

External links
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