Chaske Spencer (pronounced Chess-Kay; born March 9, 1975)[citation needed] is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Sam Uley in The Twilight Saga film series (2009–2012), and for his recurring role as Deputy Billy Raven in the Cinemax original series Banshee.
Chaske Spencer | |
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Spencer in 2011 | |
Born | (1975-03-09) March 9, 1975 (age 47) Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor |
Spencer was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and grew up in Montana, as well as Kooskia, Lapwai, and Lewiston, Idaho. He has two younger sisters. His heritage includes Lakota, Nez Perce, Cherokee, Creek, French, and Dutch. He is a member of the Fort Peck Tribe.[1][2] He graduated from Clearwater Valley High School in 1994, where he went by the name James Spencer.[3][better source needed] As a young teen, he started acting in productions at the Lewiston Civic Theater. Spencer attended college at Lewis Clark State College for a year, and considered a career in photography.[4] He eventually dropped out of Lewis Clark State College to pursue his acting career.
Spencer did odd jobs while taking acting lessons from coaches David Gideon and Ed Kovens.[5][6] He got a role in the 2002 film Skins, which then led to Dreamkeeper, and Into the West.
During his teens, Spencer had struggles with substance abuse and alcoholism. He continued to drink heavily during his college years.[7] He later developed an addiction to cocaine and heroin, and checked into rehab.[5][8] While in rehab, Spencer stopped taking drugs. He nearly gave up on acting before his agent called him to audition for New Moon, the sequel to Twilight.[8]
In 2009, Spencer played werewolf Sam Uley in New Moon, based on Stephenie Meyer's novel of the same name. He reprised his role in Eclipse, Breaking Dawn – Part 1, and Breaking Dawn – Part 2.[9]
In 2015, Spencer was cast in the recurring role of Billy Raven in the Banshee TV series, after making his debut one year prior in the web series Banshee Origins.[10]
Spencer was selected in 2021 to star alongside Emily Blunt in The English TV series, to be produced for Amazon Prime Video and BBC One.[11]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Skins | Teen Rudy | Movie |
2003 | Dreamkeeper | Eagle Boy | Movie |
2004 | Red Dead Revolver | Voice: Shadow Wolf / Chief Running Moon / Duellist | Video game |
2005 | Into the West | Voices That Carry | Episodes: "Ghost Dance" Miniseries |
2009 | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | Sam Uley | Movie |
2010 | The Twilight Saga: Eclipse | Movie | |
2011 | Shouting Secrets | Wesley | Movie |
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 | Sam Uley | Movie | |
2012 | The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 | Movie | |
The Frontier | Eli | TV Movie | |
2013 | Winter in the Blood | Virgil First Raise | Movie |
2014 | The Hero Pose | Joe | Short |
Desert Cathedral | Duran Palouse | Movie | |
Banshee Origins | Deputy Billy Raven | TV mini-series | |
The Jingle Dress | John Red Elk | Movie | |
2015 | Addiction: A 60's Love Story | Chaska | Movie |
2015–2016 | Banshee | Deputy Billy Raven | TV series |
2017 | Walking Out | Sun Bear | Movie |
Longmire | Mr. Dawson | Episode: “No Greater Character Endorsement” | |
Woman Walks Ahead | Movie | ||
2017–2018 | Sneaky Pete | Chayton Dockery | 8 episodes |
2019–2020 | Blindspot | Dominic Masters | 9 episodes |
2019 | The Society | Mr. Pfeiffer | Episode: "What Happened" |
Jessica Jones | Jace Montero | 2 episodes | |
2021 | Wild Indian | Teddo | Movie |
2023 | Echo | TBA | TV series |
TBA | Indian Summer | Wez McKendrick | Movie |
2022 | The English | Eli Whipp | 6 episodes |
Year | Awards | Category | Work | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | The Short Film Awards SOFIE Award | Best Actor in a Short Film | Hero Pose | Won |
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National libraries |