Chief Yowlachie

Chief Yowlachie, whose given name was Daniel Simmons, was born in Kitsap County, Washington, and later resided with his family on the Yakima Indian Reservation. Although he was not officially enrolled in the Yakima Nation, his parents, John W. Simmons and Lucy Riddle, possessed Puyallup heritage and owned allotted land on the Yakima reservation. Simmons' early career in show business began with an unexpected stint as an opera singer, during which he spent numerous years honing his craft. In the 1920s, he transitioned to films, taking on a diverse range of roles over the next quarter-century. As a large, round-faced individual, his distinctive voice - a deep, resonant bass reminiscent of Bluto from the classic "Popeye" cartoons - was instantly recognizable. Notably, he appeared to have aged minimally throughout his career, likely due to his youthful appearance, which concealed his actual age. In addition to his more serious roles, Simmons also had lighter, more comedic parts in various films, most notably in Red River (1948),where he engaged in witty repartee with seasoned scene-stealer Walter Brennan, and held his own with impressive ease.