Chaske Spencer (pronounced Chess-Kay; born March 9, 1975)[citation needed] is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Sam Uley in The Twilight Saga film series (2009–2012), Teddo in the acclaimed film Wild Indian, and for his recurring role as Deputy Billy Raven in the Cinemax original series Banshee.
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, Muscogee, French, and Dutch. He graduated from Clearwater Valley High School in 1994, where he went by the name James Spencer.[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. 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. He got a role in the 2002 film Skins, which then led to Dreamkeeper, and Into the West.

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