August Werner Schellenberg (July 25, 1936 – August 15, 2013) was a Canadian actor. He played Randolph in the first three installments of the ''

Free Willy ''Free Willy'' is a 1993 American family drama film, directed by Simon Wincer, produced by Lauren Shuler Donner and Jennie Lew Tugend, written by Keith A. Walker and Corey Blechman from a story by Walker and distributed by Warner Bros. Picture ...

'' film series (1993–1997) as well as characters in ''

Black Robe ''Black Robe'', first published in 1985, is a historical novel by Brian Moore set in New France in the 17th century. Its central theme is the collision of European and Native American cultures soon after first contact. First Nations peoples h ...

'' (1991), '' The New World'' (2005), and dozens of other films and television shows. During his career, Schellenberg won a

Gemini Award The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States ...

in 1986 and a

Genie Award The Genie Awards were given out annually by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to recognize the best of Canadian cinema from 1980–2012. They succeeded the Canadian Film Awards (1949–1978; also known as the "Etrog Awards," for sc ...

in 1991, as well as being nominated for a

Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...

in 2007.

Life and career

Schellenberg was born and lived in

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple- ...

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirte ...

, until he moved to

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, in 1967. He was of

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

Mohawk Mohawk may refer to: Related to Native Americans * Mohawk people, an indigenous people of North America (Canada and New York) *Mohawk language, the language spoken by the Mohawk people * Mohawk hairstyle, from a hairstyle once thought to have been ...

and Swiss-German descent. He was based in Toronto until 1995. He lived in

Dallas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County ...

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...

, with his wife, actress Joan Karasevich. He was the father of three daughters, two with Karasevich. He was trained at the

National Theatre School of Canada The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS, french: École nationale de théâtre du Canada) is a private institution of professional theatre studies in Montreal, Quebec. Established in 1960, the NTS receives its principal funding from grants ...

from 1963 to 1966. His initial work was in the Don Shebib-directed coming-of-age film ''Rip-Off'', in 1971. In 1981, he did voices for the

animated film Animation is a method by which still figures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most ani ...

'' Heavy Metal''. During the 1990s he had major roles in ''

'' (as Chomina), ''

'' and its sequels (as Randolph Johnson), '' Iron Will'' (Ned Dodd), '' True Heart'' (Khonanesta), and TV film ''

Crazy Horse Crazy Horse ( lkt, Tȟašúŋke Witkó, italic=no, , ; 1840 – September 5, 1877) was a Lakota war leader of the Oglala band in the 19th century. He took up arms against the United States federal government to fight against encroachment by w ...

'' (

Sitting Bull Sitting Bull ( lkt, Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake ; December 15, 1890) was a Hunkpapa Lakota leader who led his people during years of resistance against United States government policies. He was killed by Indian agency police on the Standing Rock ...

). He went on to star as Chief Powhatan in

Terrence Malick Terrence Frederick Malick (born November 30, 1943) is an American filmmaker. His films include ''Days of Heaven'' (1978), '' The Thin Red Line'' (1998), for which he received Academy Award nominations for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay ...

's 2005 film '' The New World''. He also had roles in Disney's ''

Eight Below ''Eight Below'' is a 2006 American survival drama film, a remake based on the 1983 Japanese film ''Antarctica'' by Toshirô Ishidô, Koreyoshi Kurahara, Tatsuo Nogami and Susumu Saji. It was produced by Patrick Crowley and David Hoberman, direc ...

'' and the doco within a film ''The Green Chain'' (2007). In 2011, he appeared in two episodes of the television series ''

Stargate Universe ''Stargate Universe'' (often abbreviated as ''SGU'') is a military science fiction television series and part of MGM's ''Stargate'' franchise. It follows the adventures of a present-day, multinational exploration team traveling on the Ancient ...

'' as Yaozu. His favorite role was that of

in the film ''Crazy Horse'', a character he reprised in the film version of the Dee Brown bestseller '' Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee'', for which he received an

Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

nomination. He also starred in ''Dreamkeeper'' (2003) as Pete Chasing Horse. Schellenberg was nominated for three

Genie Awards The Genie Awards were given out annually by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to recognize the best of Canadian cinema from 1980–2012. They succeeded the Canadian Film Awards (1949–1978; also known as the "Etrog Awards," for scul ...

and won one (for ''Black Robe''). He was also nominated for two

Gemini Awards The Gemini Awards were awards given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television between 1986–2011 to recognize the achievements of Canada's television industry. The Gemini Awards are analogous to the Emmy Awards given in the United States ...

, and won one (for the television movie ''The Prodigal''). In 2012, he performed the title role in an all-aboriginal production of

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

's ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane a ...

'' at the

National Arts Centre The National Arts Centre (NAC) (french: Centre national des Arts) is a performing arts organisation in Ottawa, Ontario, along the Rideau Canal. It is based in the eponymous National Arts Centre building. History The NAC was one of a number of ...

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the c ...

, alongside a cast that also included

Billy Merasty Billy Merasty (born 1960) is an Aboriginal Canadian actor and writer of Cree descent. Early life Merasty was born in Brochet, Manitoba, Canada. He is the ninth of fourteen siblings born to Viola and Pierre Merasty, and a grandson of Joe Highway ...

as Gloucester,

Tantoo Cardinal Tantoo Cardinal CM (born Rose Marie Cardinal; July 20, 1950) is a Canadian actress of Cree and Métis heritage. In 2009, she was made a member of the Order of Canada "for her contributions to the growth and development of Aboriginal performing a ...

as Regan,

Jani Lauzon Jani Lauzon (born September 29, 1959) is a Canadian puppeteer and musician of Métis heritage from East Kootenay, British Columbia. She is a three-time Juno Award Nominee with Muppet Show credits that include additional puppetry on ''Follow ...

in a dual role as Cordelia and the Fool,

Craig Lauzon Craig Lauzon is a Canadian actor, writer, comedian, and member of the Royal Canadian Air Farce. His main caricatures on the Farce include George Stroumboulopoulos, John Baird, Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Lauzon is ...

as Kent, and the play's assistant director,

Lorne Cardinal Lorne Cardinal (born 6 January 1964) is a Canadian stage, television and film actor, best known for portraying Davis Quinton on '' Corner Gas''. He is a former rugby union player. Early life Cardinal was born on a reserve of the Sucker Cree ...

, as The Duke of Albany."Aboriginal cast in staging of King Lear"
''

Ottawa Citizen The ''Ottawa Citizen'' is an English-language daily newspaper owned by Postmedia Network in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. History Established as ''The Bytown Packet'' in 1845 by William Harris, it was renamed the ''Citizen'' in 1851. The news ...

'', May 12, 2012. During his lifetime, Schellenberg taught acting seminars at Toronto's Centre for Indigenous Theatre and

York University York University (french: Université York), also known as YorkU or simply YU, is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's fourth-largest university, and it has approximately 55,700 students, 7,000 faculty and sta ...

. He conducted motivational workshops in schools and for cultural and community organizations across North America. Schellenberg's younger brother played Dior in ''

Grey's Anatomy ''Grey's Anatomy'' is an American medical drama television series that premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC as a mid-season replacement. The series focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into s ...

'', season 5. Shortly after that, August died of lung cancer.

Death

Schellenberg died on August 15, 2013, in

after a long battle with

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from transformed, mali ...

. He was interred at

Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery is a multi-faith cemetery located at 7405 West Northwest Highway in North Dallas, Texas (USA). It is owned by Service Corporation International. Among the notable persons interred here are: *Mary Kay Ash (1 ...

Filmography

Film

* ''

Rip-Off ''Rip Off'' is a multidirectional shooter with black and white vector graphics written by Tim Skelly and released in arcades by Cinematronics in 1980. It was the first shooter with cooperative gameplay and an early game to exhibit flocking beha ...

'' (1971) * ''A Fan's Notes'' (1972) * '' Between Friends'' (1973) * '' One Man'' (1977) - Ernie Carrick * ''

Power Play Power play or powerplay or their plurals may refer to: Sports * Power play (sporting term), a sporting term used in various games * Powerplay (cricket), a rule concerning fielding restrictions in one-day international cricket * Power play (cur ...

'' (1978) - Minh * ''

Drying Up the Streets ''Drying Up the Streets'' is a 1978 Canadian feature from Robin Spry produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Synopsis This film was originally planned as a one-hour drama for the CBC's '' For the Record'', series but was expanded int ...

'' (1978) - Nick * '' Bear Island'' (1979) - Marine Technician * '' The Coffin Affair'' (1980) -

Wilbert Coffin Wilbert Coffin (23 October 1915 – 10 February 1956) was a Canadian prospector who was convicted of murder and executed in Canada. Montreal journalist, editor, author and politician Jacques Hebert raised doubt as to Coffin's guilt in ''J'accus ...

* '' Death Hunt'' (1981) - Deak De Bleargue * '' Heavy Metal'' (1981) - Norl (segment "Den") / Taarak (segment "Taarna") (voice) * '' Kings and Desperate Men'' (1981) - Stanley Aldini * ''

Latitude 55° ''Latitude 55°'' is a 1982 Canadian drama/adventure film. Plot Wanda Woodsworth ( Andrée Pelletier), a field worker for the Department of Culture, is on her way home to the city after a winter assignment in the northern part of Alberta. H ...

'' (1982) - Josef Przysiezny * '' The Ruffian'' (1983) - Nelson Harting * ''

Running Brave ''Running Brave'' is a Canadian biographical sports drama film released in 1983 based on the story of Billy Mills, a member or the Oglala Sioux tribe located in South Dakota. Mills was born on the reservation, and later attended the University of ...

'' (1983) - Billy's Father * ''Cross Country'' (1983) - Glen Cosgrove * ''

Covergirl CoverGirl is an American cosmetics brand founded in Maryland, United States, by the Noxzema Chemical Company. It was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1989 and later acquired by Coty, Inc. in 2016. The Noxell Company advertised this cosmetics li ...

'' (1984) - Joel Vacchio * ''Best Revenge'' (1984) - Captain of 'Recon Star' * '' The Painted Door'' (1984) * ''

Confidential Confidentiality involves a set of rules or a promise usually executed through confidentiality agreements that limits the access or places restrictions on certain types of information. Legal confidentiality By law, lawyers are often required ...

'' (1986) - Charles Ripley * ''Mark of Cain'' (1986) - Otto * ''Qui a tiré sur nos histoires d'amour'' (1986) - Fabien * ''Long Lance'' (1986) - (voice) * ''The Return of Ben Casey'' (1988, TV Movie) - Dr. Madigan * ''Divided Loyalties'' (1990) * ''

'' (1991) - Chomina * ''Lakota Moon'' (1992, TV Movie) - Bull Elk * ''

'' (1993) - Randolph Johnson * ''

Geronimo Geronimo ( apm, Goyaałé, , ; June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Central Apache b ...

'' (1993, TV Movie) -

Cochise Cochise (; Apache: ''Shi-ka-She'' or ''A-da-tli-chi'', lit.: ''having the quality or strength of an oak''; later ''K'uu-ch'ish'' or ''Cheis'', lit. ''oak''; June 8, 1874) was leader of the Chihuicahui local group of the Chokonen and principa ...

* '' Iron Will'' (1994) - Ned Dodd * ''

Getting Gotti ''Getting Gotti'' is a 1994 TV film centered on an Assistant United States Attorney named Diane Giacalone, and her attempts to build a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) case against John Gotti and the Gambino crime family ...

'' (1994, TV Movie) Willie Boy Johnson * '' Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee'' (1994, TV Movie) - Dick Wilson * ''

Tecumseh Tecumseh ( ; October 5, 1813) was a Shawnee chief and warrior who promoted resistance to the expansion of the United States onto Native American lands. A persuasive orator, Tecumseh traveled widely, forming a Native American confederacy and ...

: The Last Warrior'' (1995, TV Movie) - Black Hoof * '' Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home'' (1995) - Randolph Johnson * ''

'' (1996, TV Movie) -

* ''

The Siege at Ruby Ridge ''The Siege at Ruby Ridge'' is a 1996 drama television film directed by Roger Young and written by Lionel Chetwynd about the confrontation between the family of Randy Weaver and the US federal government at Ruby Ridge in 1992. It was based on t ...

'' (1996, TV Movie) - Native American * '' Free Willy 3: The Rescue'' (1997) - Randolph Johnson * ''Silence'' (1997) - Johnny * '' True Heart'' (1997) - Khonanesta * ''

Scattering Dad ''Scattering Dad'' is a 1998 American made-for-television drama film directed by Joan Tewkesbury and starring Olympia Dukakis and Andy Griffith. It aired on CBS on January 4, 1998.TV Guide. January 3-9, 1998. pg. 87 Premise An agoraphobic woman ...

'' (1998, TV Movie) - Fierce Crow * ''

High Noon ''High Noon'' is a 1952 American Western film produced by Stanley Kramer from a screenplay by Carl Foreman, directed by Fred Zinnemann, and starring Gary Cooper. The plot, which occurs in real time, centers on a town marshal whose sense ...

'' (2000, TV Movie) - Antonio * ''

The Unsaid ''The Unsaid'' is a 2001 American psychological thriller film directed by Tom McLoughlin and starring Andy García that was released in 2001. It is also known under the name ''The Ties That Bind'' and its working title ''Sins of the Father''. T ...

'' (2001) - Detective Hannah * ''

Dreamkeeper ''Dreamkeeper'' is a 2003 film written by John Fusco and directed by Steve Barron. The main plot of the film is the conflict between a Lakota elder and storyteller named Pete Chasing Horse (August Schellenberg) and his Lakota grandson, Shane Chas ...

'' (2003, TV Movie) - Grandpa * '' Tremors 4: The Legend Begins'' (2004) - Tecopa * '' Going The Distance'' (2004) - Emile * '' The New World'' (2005) - Chief Powhatan * ''

'' (2006) - Mindo * '' Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee'' (2007, TV Movie) -

* ''The Green Chain'' (2007) - The Executive - John Clements * '' Missionary Man'' (2007) - White Deer * ''45 R.P.M.'' (2008) - Peter George Moses * ''The Last Movie'' (2012) - Samuel Booker (final film role)

Television/Misc.

* ''Shoestring Theatre'' (1964, Episode: "The Dark Mirror") * '' The New Avengers'' (1977, Episode: "Forward Base") - Bailey * '' The Hitchhiker'' (1983, Episode: "When Morning Comes") - Bob Ames * '' The Equalizer'' (1986, Episode: "Unpunished Crimes") - Brennan * '' Phillip Marlowe'' (1986, Episode: "Blackmailers Don't Shoot") - Johnny Tango * ''

Lance et compte ''He Shoots, He Scores'' (french: Lance et compte) is a Canadian ''téléroman'', or television drama series, revolving around a fictional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The series aired from 1986 to 1989 on the Radio-Canada network, and re ...

'' (1986 television series) - Allan Goldberg * ''

Airwolf ''Airwolf'' is an American action military drama television series that centers on a high-technology military helicopter, code-named ''Airwolf'', and its crew. The show follows them as they undertake various exotic missions, many involving e ...

'' (1987, Episode: "Deathtrain") - Gregori Nobokov * '' Champagne Charlie'' (1989) - General Butler * ''

North of 60 ''North of 60'' is a 1990s Canadian television drama depicting life in the sub-Arctic northern boreal forest (north of 60° north latitude, hence the title). It first aired on CBC Television in 1992 and was syndicated around the world. It is ...

'' (1994–1995) - Ben Montour * ''

The Adventures of Tintin ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (french: Les Aventures de Tintin ) is a series of 24 bande dessinée#Formats, ''bande dessinée'' albums created by Belgians, Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who wrote under the pen name Hergé. The series was one ...

'' (1992) - (English version, voice) * ''

Walker Texas Ranger ''Walker, Texas Ranger'' is an American action crime television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis. It was inspired by the film ''Lone Wolf McQuade'', with both this series and that film starring Chuck Norris as a member of the Te ...

'' (1994–1995) - Billy Gray Wolf * '' Lonesome Dove: The Series'' (1994, Episode: "Last Stand") - Chief Iron Bow * ''The West'' - episodes - Speck of the Future, Death Runs Riot, and Fight No More Forever - voice (1996) * ''

So Weird ''So Weird'' is a television series that aired on the Disney Channel as a mid-season replacement from January 18, 1999, to September 28, 2001. The series was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the first two seasons, the series centered on ...

'' (2000, Episode: "Destiny") - Tom Martinez * '' Chiefs'' (2002, TV Mini-Series documentary) - Sitting Bull * ''The Making of 'DreamKeeper'' (2004, Video documentary short) - Himself * ''Making 'The New World'' (2006, Video documentary) - Himself * '' Saving Grace'' (2007–2010) - GeePaw * ''

'' (2008, Episode: "These Ties That Bind") - Clay Bedonie

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Schellenberg, August 1936 births 2013 deaths 20th-century Canadian male actors 21st-century Canadian male actors Best Supporting Actor Genie and Canadian Screen Award winners Burials at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery Canadian expatriates in the United States Canadian male film actors Canadian male Shakespearean actors Canadian male television actors Canadian male voice actors Canadian Métis people Canadian people of English descent Canadian people of Mohawk descent Canadian people of Swiss-German descent Deaths from cancer in Texas Deaths from lung cancer First Nations male actors Male actors from Montreal National Theatre School of Canada alumni