Chief Bromden — One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Character Profile

About Chief Bromden

A tall, supposedly deaf-mute Native American who fakes his disability to avoid engagement. He becomes McMurphy's ally, helps him fight back, and ultimately mercy-kills his lobotomized friend before orchestrating a successful escape himself.

Character Facts

Played by

Will Sampson

Appears in

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (3)

• Chief Bromden — Alliance Partner — Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson)

  McMurphy befriends Chief and helps him regain confidence and voice

• Chief Bromden — Narrative Observer — Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher)

  Chief observes Ratched's mechanical control over the ward.

• Chief Bromden — Power Oppressor — Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher)

  Ratched oppresses Chief by treating him as deaf and mute

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

More characters from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

• Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson)
• Billy Bibbit (Brad Dourif)
• Nurse Mildred Ratched (Louise Fletcher)
• Martini (Danny DeVito)
• Charlie Cheswick (Sydney Lassick)
• Dale Harding (William Redfield)
• Warren (Mwako Cumbuka)
• Bancini (Josip Elic)
• Jim Sefelt (William Duell)
• Rose (Louisa Moritz)
• Hap Arlich (Ted Markland)
• Washington (Nathan George)