John Trudell was an American Indian author, poet, actor, musician, and political activist. He was the spokesperson for the United Indians of All Tribes' takeover of Alcatraz beginning in 1969, broadcasting as Radio Free Alcatraz. During most of the 1970s, he served as the chairman of the American Indian Movement, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After his pregnant wife, three children and mother-in-law were killed in 1979 in a fire at the home of his parents-in-law on the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, Trudell turned to writing, music and film as a second career. He acted in three films in the 1990s. The documentary Trudell (2005) was made about him and his life as an activist and artist.

John Trudell

Acting Born February 15, 1946 – Died December 8, 2015 Omaha, Nebraska, USA

John Trudell was an American Indian author, poet, actor, musician, and political activist. He was the spokesperson for the United Indians of All Tribes' takeover of Alcatraz beginning in 1969, broadcasting as Radio Free Alcatraz. During most of the 1970s, he served as the chairman of the American Indian Movement, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After his pregnant wife, three children and mother-in-law were killed in 1979 in a fire at the home of his parents-in-law on the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada, Trudell turned to writing, music and film as a second career. He acted in three films in the 1990s. The documentary Trudell (2005) was made about him and his life as an activist and artist.

Known For

Extreme Measures

Tony

On Deadly Ground

Johnny Redfeather

Thunderheart

Jimmy Looks Twice

The West

Self

The 11th Hour

Self

Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae

Self - AIM National Chairman (archive footage)

Trudell

Self / Narrator (voice)

Dreamkeeper

Coyote

Dreamkeeper

Coyote

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World

Self

Smoke Signals

Randy Peone

Lakota Nation vs. United States

Self (archive footage)