Code Talker movie features first-timer

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002

Roger Willie auditioned for the upcoming MGM release "Windtalkers," a film about the Marines assigned to protect the Navajo Code Talkers, on a whim.

He thought auditions were being held for Navajo men only so the studio could claim it looked for Native actors. But little did he know that his lark would convince casting agents he was the right man to play Charlie Whitehorse, one of the movie's Navajo soldiers.

Still, the 38-year-old graduate student and father of two has no plans to become an actor although he says he's open to future roles if the cards are right.

"Windtalkers" premieres June 14.

Get the Story:
Novice Actor the Reel Deal (The Albuquerque Journal 5/12)

Relevant Links:
Sen. Jeff Bingaman's Code Talkers' Site - http://bingaman.senate.gov/code_talkers
Harrison Lapahie Jr's Code Talkers' Site - http://www.lapahie.com/NavajoCodeTalker.html
Windtalkers - http://www.mgm.com/windtalkers
Navajo Code Talkers, Yahoo! - http://dir.yahoo.com/Social_Science/Communications/
Cryptology/Codes_and_Ciphers/Code_Talkers/Navajo

Related Stories:
Code Talkers receive special medal (5/2)
Code Talkers upset with Begaye (3/25)
Code Talker gets his medal (3/11)
Code Talker day set (3/8)
Navajo Code Talker gets own day (3/4)
Code Talker to get his medal (2/26)
Paper blasts Navajo Nation (2/22)
Code Talker still doesn't have medal (2/19)
Navajo man confirmed as Code Talker (2/11)
Navajo man recognized as Code Talker (2/7)
Code Talkers on display in Ariz. (1/18)
Ceremony honors Code Talkers (12/10)
Navajo Code Talkers given awards (11/26)
Code Talkers honored at S.D. powwow (10/15)
Code Talker movie delayed (10/2)
Code Talker ceremony postponed (10/1)
N.M. honors Code Talker (9/13)
Code Talkers honored for contributions (7/27)
'Windtalkers' splashes onto DC scene (7/27)
In The Hoop: Navajo Code Talker Pics (7/27)
Bush to honor Code Talkers (7/23)