Eddie Little Sky (August 15, 1926 – September 5, 1997), also known as Edward Little, was an American actor. A citizen of the Oglala Lakota tribe Eddie had parts in 36 feature films and over 60 television shows,Indian Country Today, retrieved on 21 June 2009 mainly westerns in the role of a Native American. He was one of the first Native American actors to play Native American roles such as his performance in the 1970 film A Man Called Horse.
Career Little Sky was born as Edsel Wallace Little on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in Shannon County, South Dakota to Oglala Lakota parents Wallace Henry Little (1901–1984) and Wileminna Colhoff. He attended the Holy Rosary Indian Mission school as a child. After leaving the United States Navy, where he had served in the Pacific theater during World War II, he began working the rodeo circuit as a bull rider and bareback rider.
Following his work on the 1955 film Chief Crazy Horse, Audie Murphy encouraged Little Sky to become a professional actor; thus Little Sky, along with Jay Silverheels and Chief Dan George became one of the first Native Americans to play Native American roles in films. Hollywood normally used white actors wearing black wigs and dark make-up to play the parts of Native Americans. His first television role was in 1957 on the series Cheyenne in the episode titled The Iron Trail. In 1958 he appeared on Have Gun - Will Travel S2 E13 "The Solid Gold Patrol" as Chief White Bull.
From that time onwards, Little Sky had numerous roles in many Western television series such as Gunsmoke, Bat Masterson, The Rifleman, The Virginian, The Men From Shiloh (rebranded name of The Virginian), Bonanza, Daniel Boone and The High Chaparral.
He also played in many films such as The Light in the Forest, Paint Your Wagon, Duel at Diablo, Breakheart Pass, The Hallelujah Trail, and his performance as Black Eagle in the 1970 film A Man Called Horse which starred Richard Harris. He was also technical adviser for Soldier Blue. He made several appearances as a Pacific native on Gilligan's Island.
Later years/marriage Upon his retirement from the film industry in the late 1970s, he worked as director of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Parks and Recreation Authority. He married Dawn Gates ( Eunice Elsie Gates), who became an actress known as Dawn Little Sky (1930-2025https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dawn-little-sky-actress-disney-artist-1236429291/); the couple had eight children, only three of whom (Tojan Norma Rendon, Prairie Rose Little Sky-White, and John “Chepa” Little Sky) survived their parents, i.e. were still alive as of 2025.Dawn Little Sky obituary, lakotatimes.com. Accessed December 22, 2025.
Death Eddie Little Sky died on September 5, 1997, aged 71, in Pennington County, South Dakota from lung cancer. He was interred at the Little's Flat Family cemetery in Oglala, South Dakota.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1956 Westward Ho the Wagons! Pawnee Brave Uncredited1956 Revolt at Fort Laramie Red Cloud 1957 Tomahawk Trail Johnny Dogwood 1957 Apache Warrior Apache 1958 The Missouri Traveler Red Poole 1958 Gun Fever 2nd Indian chief 1958 The Light in the Forest Little Crane Uncredited1958 Tonka Spotted Tail Uncredited1959 Tales of Wells Fargo Indian Leader S3/E23 "Lola Montez"1959 Escort West Indian Uncredited1959 The FBI Story Henry Roanhorse Uncredited1960 Heller in Pink Tights Indian Uncredited1960 Hell Bent for Leather William 1960 Oklahoma Territory Cherokee Uncredited1961 Cimarron Ben Red Feather Uncredited1961 Buffalo Gun Sartu 1962 Sergeants 3 Ghost Dancer 1964 7 Faces of Dr. Lao George C. George 1965 The Hallelujah Trail Crow Chief Uncredited1965 Daniel Boone Grey Eagle S1/E28 "Doll of Sorrow"1966 Duel at Diablo Alchise 1966 The Professionals Jake's Prisoner Uncredited1966 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Red Cloud S4/E6 "Massacre at Fort Phil Kearny"1967 The Way West Sioux Warrior Uncredited1967 The Last Challenge Indian Uncredited1968 The High Chaparral Alacran S1/E19 "Gold Is Where You Leave It"1969 Paint Your Wagon Indian 1970 A Man Called Horse Black Eagle 1970 Then Came Bronson Boise Idaho S1/E20 "Mating Dance for Tender Grass"1970 Soldier Blue Indian Scout Uncredited1970 Run, Simon, Run Santana ABC Movie of the Week1971 The Virginian Grey Bull S9/E21 "The Regimental Line"1972 Journey Through Rosebud Stanley Pike 1974 Movin' On Freewater S1/E13 "Goin' Home: Part 2"1974 Dusty's Trail Natuma S1/E8 "Tomahawk Territory"1975 Breakheart Pass White Hand 1977 The Car Denson 1978 How the West Was Won Drives-His-Horses 3 episodes
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