Actor. A member of the Osage Indian Tribe, he was best known for playing the character roles of Native American Indians, chiefs, townsmen, eskimos, barflies, rancheros, henchmen, carnival workers, rebels, in several classic western films and western television series. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Chief Lone Deer' in the western film, "The Pioneers" (1941). The film which was directed by Albert Herman, which was written by Robert Emmett Tansey, which was based on the story by James Fenimore Cooper, and which also starred Tex Ritter, Karl Hackett, and Slim Andrews, tells the story of a frontiersman who leads a group of pioneers to their destination in the Old West and then helps them settle it. He is also best remembered for playing the role of 'Chief Red Moon' in the episode entitled "Medicine Man Show," of the classic western television series, "The Cisco Kid," which originally aired on October 8, 1951, and which also starred Duncan Renaldo, Leo Carrillo, and Wanda McKay, tells the story of after answering Chief Flying Cloud's smoke signal for help in preventing an Indian war, Cisco and Pancho go undercover as Professor Lorenzo Lombardi and Chief Waho's Cure-All Medicine Show, in an attempt to break up an arms smuggling ring. He was born one of ten children as Charles Leon Soldani on Indian Reservation in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Anthony Godance Soldani (1861-1956), and his wife Amelia Katherine "Kittie" Fronkier Soldani (1867-1959), on June 1, 1893. He was educated locally, served his country in World War I, and worked as an automoble salesman, before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, before finally settling in Los Angeles, California, where he pursued an acting career. He made his actual film debut playing the role of an 'Indian' in the western film, "War Paint" (1926). The film which was directed by W.S. Van Dyke, which was written for the screen by Charles Maigne and Joseph Farnham, and which also starred Tim McCoy, Pauline Starke, and Charles K. French, tells the story of an Arapahoe Indian chief, unhappy with life on the reservation, escapes with some of his warriors. A detachment of cavalry is sent out to bring them back. Besides, playing the role of an 'Indian' in the western film, "War Paint" (1926), and playing the role of 'Chief Lone Deer' in the western film, "The Pioneers" (1941), his many other film credits include, "Flaming Frontiers" (1938), "The Kid From Texas" (1939), "Man Of Conquest" (1939), "Fighting Mad" (1939), "Zorro's Fighting Legion" (1939), "Kit Carson" (1940), "North West Mounted Police" (1940), "Outlaws Of Cherokee Trail" (1941), "Valley Of The Sun" (1942), "A Yank In Libya" (1942), "Dawn of The Great Divide" (1942), "Daredevils Of The West" (1943), "The Desperadoes" (1943), "Frontier Fury" (1943), "The Law Rides Again" (1943), "Thank Your Lucky Stars" (1943), "Adventure In Iraq" (1943), "Riding High" (1943), "Arizona Whirlwhind" (1944), "Buffalo Bill" (1944), "The Tiger Woman" (1944), "Cheyenne Wildcat" (1944), "The Princess And The Pirate" (1944), "Law of The Valley" (1944), "Oath Of Vengeance" (1944), "The Mummy's Curse" (1944), "Belle Of The Yukon" (1944), "Tahiti Nights" (1944), "The Great Flamarion" (1945), "His Brother's Ghost" (1945), "Wonder Man" (1945), "Man From Oklahoma" (1945), "South Of The Rio Grande" (1945), "Sunset In El Dorado" (1945), "The Cherokee Flash" (1945), "Laost City Of The Jungle" (1946), "Rainbow Over Texas" (1946), "Heading West" (1946), "Under Nevada Skies" (1946), "Rio Grande Raiders" (1946), "Sinbad, The Sailor" (1947), "California" (1947), "Wild Country" (1947), "Son Of Zorro" (1947), "The Lone Hand Texan" (1947), "Under The Tonto Rim" (1947), "Along The Oregon Trail" (1947), "The Wild Frontier" (1947), "Bowery Buckaroos" (1947), "Albuquerque" (1948), "Panhandle" (1948), "West of Sonora" (1948), "Adventures In Silverado" (1948), "The Dude Goes West" (1948), "Borrowed Trouble" (1948), "Adventures Of Frank And Jesse James" (1948), "Renegades Of Sonora" (1948), "3 godfathers" (1948), "Jungle Jim" (1948), "Rose Of The Yukon" (1949), "The Big Sombrero" (1949), "Daughter of The Jungle" (1949), "El Paso" (1949), "Red Canyon" (1949), "Ma And Pa Kettle" (1949), "Johnny Stool Pigeon" (1949), "Laramie" (1949), "Hellfire" (1949), "The Gal Who Took The West" (1949), "Apache Chief" (1949), "Horsemen Of The Sierras" (1949), "Pioneer Marshal" (1949), "Davy Crockett, Indian Scout" (1950), "Young Daniel Boone" (1950), "A Ticket To Tomahawk" (1950), "Winchester '73" (1950), "Broken Arrow" (1950), "Apache Drums" (1951), "Sirocco" (1951), "The Mark Of The Renegade" (1951), "Whistling Hills" (1951), "Slaughter Trail" (1951), "Fort Osage" (1952), "Laramie Mountains" (1952), "High Noon" (1952), "California Conquest" (1952), "Wagons West" (1952), "Les Miserables" (1952), "The Savage" (1952), "Son Of Geronimo: Apache Avenger" (1952), "Montana Belle" (1952), "Voodoo Tiger" (1952), "The Pathfinder" (1952), "Last Of The Comanches" (1953), "Winning of The West" (1953), "Savage Mutiny" (1953), "Treasure of The Golden Condor" (1953), "Lili" (1953), "Salome" (1953), "The Last Posse" (1953), "City Of Bad Men" (1953), "Saginaw Trail" (1953), "Apartment Of Hunduras" (1953), "Calamity Jane" (1953), "Captain John Smith And Pocahontas" (1953), "Tumbleweed" (1953), "Trader Tom Of The Chima Seas" (1954), "Battle Of Rogue River" (1954), "Arrow In The Dust" (1954), "Drums Across The River River" (1954), "Thunder Pass" (1954), "They Rode West" (1954), "The Yellow Mountain" (1954), "Pirates Of Tripoli" (1955), "Kentucky Rifle" (1955), "Seminole Uprising" (1955), "Foxfire" (1955), "The Last Command" (1955), "Dig That Uranium" (1955), "The Wild Dakotas" (1956), "Raw Edge" (1956), "The First Texan" (1956), "Walk The Proud Land" (1956), "Blazing The Overland Trail" (1956), "Around The World In 80 Days" (1956), "Gun For A Coward" (1956), "Duel At Apache Wells" (1957), "Man Of A Thousand Faces" (1957), "Quantez" (1957), "Ride Out For Revenge" (1957), "Ambush At Cimarron Pass" (1958), "Escort West" (1959), "The FBI Story" (1959),"Yellowstone Kelly" (1959), "Oklahoma Territory" (1960), "Buffalo Gun" (1961), "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962), "The Comedy Of Terrors" (1963), and "The Bounty Killer" (1965)." Besides, playing the role of 'Chief Red Moon' in the episode entitled "Medicine Man Show," 'of the classic western television series, "The Cisco Kid," on which originally aired on October 8, 1951, and which also starred Duncan Renaldo, Leo Carrillo, and Wanda McKay, tells the story of after answering Chief Flying Cloud's smoke signal for help in preventing an Indian war, Cisco and Pancho go undercover as Professor Lorenzo Lombardi and Chief Waho's Cure-All Medicine Show, in an attempt to break up an arms smuggling ring, his many other television credits include, 'Stories of The Century," "Sergeant Preston of The Yukon," "The Adventures Of Rin Tin Tin," "Soldiers Of Fortune," "Circus Boy," "Wanted: Dead Or Alive," "Cimarron City," "Zorro," "Bonanza," "Have Gun - Will Travel," "The Deputy," "Tombstone Territory," "The Rebel," "The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp," "Riverboat," "Sugarfoot," "Bronco," "Bat Masterson," "Laramie," "Wagon Train," 'Maverick," "Cheyenne," "Tales Of Wells Fargo," "Alfred Hitchcock Presnts," "The Dakotas," "Death Valley Days," "F Troop," "Get Smart," "Gunsmoke," "I Spy," "Branded," "The Wild Wild West," "Custer," "Daniel Boone," "Cimarron Strip," and "The Virginian." His last film role was playing a 'Show Spectator' in the romantic western film, "More Dead Than Alive" (1969). The film which was directed by Robert Sparr, which was written for the screen by George Schenck, and which also starred Clint Walker, Vincent Price, Anne Francis, Paul Hampton, and Mike Henry, tells the story of released from prison after 18 years, notorious gunslinger 'Killer' Cain is a peaceful reformed man but the Old West has died and he cannot adapt to the modern West where some unpaid moral debts and old troubles resurface. The film was released to the general public a year after his death. Besides, acting he was a champion golfer and he won many trophies and continued to play the sport for many years. He passed away following a lingering illness at the Glendale Adventist Hospital in Glendale, California, on September 10, 1968, at the age of 75. At his funeral service which was held on a grassy slope where a chaplain named Reverend Paul V. Robinson eulogized him in words that were usually reserved for men of much greater distinction, he said, "Chief Soldani was a symbol of courage, hope, and determination. He was a veteran of World War I and served his country faithfully and proudly. He established himself as an actor in motion pictures and made enduring friendships. He was a credit to the American Indian group and the world was a better place for his having lived in it." His casket was draped with the American flag. Following the funeral service, he was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, in the Sheltering Hills Section. He was married twice, first to Madeline Marguerite Montgomery Soldani (1901-), in Marion County, Indiana, on November 4, 1920. The couple later divorced and had no children together. He was also married to Joice L. Cooper Gardner Soldani (1897-1981), in Yuma, Arizona, on June 28, 1934, and were together until his death on September 10, 1968. The couple had no children together.
Actor. A member of the Osage Indian Tribe, he was best known for playing the character roles of Native American Indians, chiefs, townsmen, eskimos, barflies, rancheros, henchmen, carnival workers, rebels, in several classic western films and western television series. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Chief Lone Deer' in the western film, "The Pioneers" (1941). The film which was directed by Albert Herman, which was written by Robert Emmett Tansey, which was based on the story by James Fenimore Cooper, and which also starred Tex Ritter, Karl Hackett, and Slim Andrews, tells the story of a frontiersman who leads a group of pioneers to their destination in the Old West and then helps them settle it. He is also best remembered for playing the role of 'Chief Red Moon' in the episode entitled "Medicine Man Show," of the classic western television series, "The Cisco Kid," which originally aired on October 8, 1951, and which also starred Duncan Renaldo, Leo Carrillo, and Wanda McKay, tells the story of after answering Chief Flying Cloud's smoke signal for help in preventing an Indian war, Cisco and Pancho go undercover as Professor Lorenzo Lombardi and Chief Waho's Cure-All Medicine Show, in an attempt to break up an arms smuggling ring. He was born one of ten children as Charles Leon Soldani on Indian Reservation in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Anthony Godance Soldani (1861-1956), and his wife Amelia Katherine "Kittie" Fronkier Soldani (1867-1959), on June 1, 1893. He was educated locally, served his country in World War I, and worked as an automoble salesman, before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, before finally settling in Los Angeles, California, where he pursued an acting career. He made his actual film debut playing the role of an 'Indian' in the western film, "War Paint" (1926). The film which was directed by W.S. Van Dyke, which was written for the screen by Charles Maigne and Joseph Farnham, and which also starred Tim McCoy, Pauline Starke, and Charles K. French, tells the story of an Arapahoe Indian chief, unhappy with life on the reservation, escapes with some of his warriors. A detachment of cavalry is sent out to bring them back. Besides, playing the role of an 'Indian' in the western film, "War Paint" (1926), and playing the role of 'Chief Lone Deer' in the western film, "The Pioneers" (1941), his many other film credits include, "Flaming Frontiers" (1938), "The Kid From Texas" (1939), "Man Of Conquest" (1939), "Fighting Mad" (1939), "Zorro's Fighting Legion" (1939), "Kit Carson" (1940), "North West Mounted Police" (1940), "Outlaws Of Cherokee Trail" (1941), "Valley Of The Sun" (1942), "A Yank In Libya" (1942), "Dawn of The Great Divide" (1942), "Daredevils Of The West" (1943), "The Desperadoes" (1943), "Frontier Fury" (1943), "The Law Rides Again" (1943), "Thank Your Lucky Stars" (1943), "Adventure In Iraq" (1943), "Riding High" (1943), "Arizona Whirlwhind" (1944), "Buffalo Bill" (1944), "The Tiger Woman" (1944), "Cheyenne Wildcat" (1944), "The Princess And The Pirate" (1944), "Law of The Valley" (1944), "Oath Of Vengeance" (1944), "The Mummy's Curse" (1944), "Belle Of The Yukon" (1944), "Tahiti Nights" (1944), "The Great Flamarion" (1945), "His Brother's Ghost" (1945), "Wonder Man" (1945), "Man From Oklahoma" (1945), "South Of The Rio Grande" (1945), "Sunset In El Dorado" (1945), "The Cherokee Flash" (1945), "Laost City Of The Jungle" (1946), "Rainbow Over Texas" (1946), "Heading West" (1946), "Under Nevada Skies" (1946), "Rio Grande Raiders" (1946), "Sinbad, The Sailor" (1947), "California" (1947), "Wild Country" (1947), "Son Of Zorro" (1947), "The Lone Hand Texan" (1947), "Under The Tonto Rim" (1947), "Along The Oregon Trail" (1947), "The Wild Frontier" (1947), "Bowery Buckaroos" (1947), "Albuquerque" (1948), "Panhandle" (1948), "West of Sonora" (1948), "Adventures In Silverado" (1948), "The Dude Goes West" (1948), "Borrowed Trouble" (1948), "Adventures Of Frank And Jesse James" (1948), "Renegades Of Sonora" (1948), "3 godfathers" (1948), "Jungle Jim" (1948), "Rose Of The Yukon" (1949), "The Big Sombrero" (1949), "Daughter of The Jungle" (1949), "El Paso" (1949), "Red Canyon" (1949), "Ma And Pa Kettle" (1949), "Johnny Stool Pigeon" (1949), "Laramie" (1949), "Hellfire" (1949), "The Gal Who Took The West" (1949), "Apache Chief" (1949), "Horsemen Of The Sierras" (1949), "Pioneer Marshal" (1949), "Davy Crockett, Indian Scout" (1950), "Young Daniel Boone" (1950), "A Ticket To Tomahawk" (1950), "Winchester '73" (1950), "Broken Arrow" (1950), "Apache Drums" (1951), "Sirocco" (1951), "The Mark Of The Renegade" (1951), "Whistling Hills" (1951), "Slaughter Trail" (1951), "Fort Osage" (1952), "Laramie Mountains" (1952), "High Noon" (1952), "California Conquest" (1952), "Wagons West" (1952), "Les Miserables" (1952), "The Savage" (1952), "Son Of Geronimo: Apache Avenger" (1952), "Montana Belle" (1952), "Voodoo Tiger" (1952), "The Pathfinder" (1952), "Last Of The Comanches" (1953), "Winning of The West" (1953), "Savage Mutiny" (1953), "Treasure of The Golden Condor" (1953), "Lili" (1953), "Salome" (1953), "The Last Posse" (1953), "City Of Bad Men" (1953), "Saginaw Trail" (1953), "Apartment Of Hunduras" (1953), "Calamity Jane" (1953), "Captain John Smith And Pocahontas" (1953), "Tumbleweed" (1953), "Trader Tom Of The Chima Seas" (1954), "Battle Of Rogue River" (1954), "Arrow In The Dust" (1954), "Drums Across The River River" (1954), "Thunder Pass" (1954), "They Rode West" (1954), "The Yellow Mountain" (1954), "Pirates Of Tripoli" (1955), "Kentucky Rifle" (1955), "Seminole Uprising" (1955), "Foxfire" (1955), "The Last Command" (1955), "Dig That Uranium" (1955), "The Wild Dakotas" (1956), "Raw Edge" (1956), "The First Texan" (1956), "Walk The Proud Land" (1956), "Blazing The Overland Trail" (1956), "Around The World In 80 Days" (1956), "Gun For A Coward" (1956), "Duel At Apache Wells" (1957), "Man Of A Thousand Faces" (1957), "Quantez" (1957), "Ride Out For Revenge" (1957), "Ambush At Cimarron Pass" (1958), "Escort West" (1959), "The FBI Story" (1959),"Yellowstone Kelly" (1959), "Oklahoma Territory" (1960), "Buffalo Gun" (1961), "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962), "The Comedy Of Terrors" (1963), and "The Bounty Killer" (1965)." Besides, playing the role of 'Chief Red Moon' in the episode entitled "Medicine Man Show," 'of the classic western television series, "The Cisco Kid," on which originally aired on October 8, 1951, and which also starred Duncan Renaldo, Leo Carrillo, and Wanda McKay, tells the story of after answering Chief Flying Cloud's smoke signal for help in preventing an Indian war, Cisco and Pancho go undercover as Professor Lorenzo Lombardi and Chief Waho's Cure-All Medicine Show, in an attempt to break up an arms smuggling ring, his many other television credits include, 'Stories of The Century," "Sergeant Preston of The Yukon," "The Adventures Of Rin Tin Tin," "Soldiers Of Fortune," "Circus Boy," "Wanted: Dead Or Alive," "Cimarron City," "Zorro," "Bonanza," "Have Gun - Will Travel," "The Deputy," "Tombstone Territory," "The Rebel," "The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp," "Riverboat," "Sugarfoot," "Bronco," "Bat Masterson," "Laramie," "Wagon Train," 'Maverick," "Cheyenne," "Tales Of Wells Fargo," "Alfred Hitchcock Presnts," "The Dakotas," "Death Valley Days," "F Troop," "Get Smart," "Gunsmoke," "I Spy," "Branded," "The Wild Wild West," "Custer," "Daniel Boone," "Cimarron Strip," and "The Virginian." His last film role was playing a 'Show Spectator' in the romantic western film, "More Dead Than Alive" (1969). The film which was directed by Robert Sparr, which was written for the screen by George Schenck, and which also starred Clint Walker, Vincent Price, Anne Francis, Paul Hampton, and Mike Henry, tells the story of released from prison after 18 years, notorious gunslinger 'Killer' Cain is a peaceful reformed man but the Old West has died and he cannot adapt to the modern West where some unpaid moral debts and old troubles resurface. The film was released to the general public a year after his death. Besides, acting he was a champion golfer and he won many trophies and continued to play the sport for many years. He passed away following a lingering illness at the Glendale Adventist Hospital in Glendale, California, on September 10, 1968, at the age of 75. At his funeral service which was held on a grassy slope where a chaplain named Reverend Paul V. Robinson eulogized him in words that were usually reserved for men of much greater distinction, he said, "Chief Soldani was a symbol of courage, hope, and determination. He was a veteran of World War I and served his country faithfully and proudly. He established himself as an actor in motion pictures and made enduring friendships. He was a credit to the American Indian group and the world was a better place for his having lived in it." His casket was draped with the American flag. Following the funeral service, he was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, in the Sheltering Hills Section. He was married twice, first to Madeline Marguerite Montgomery Soldani (1901-), in Marion County, Indiana, on November 4, 1920. The couple later divorced and had no children together. He was also married to Joice L. Cooper Gardner Soldani (1897-1981), in Yuma, Arizona, on June 28, 1934, and were together until his death on September 10, 1968. The couple had no children together.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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