Profile Text
Birth Name: Ray Agnaqsiaq Wise
Date of Birth: December 27, 1906
Place of Birth: Candle, District of Alaska (now Alaska, U.S.)
Date of Death: September 23, 1952
Place of Death: Hollywood, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: * father – Ashkenazi Jewish * mother – Inupiaq Inuit
Ray Mala was an Alaska Native/American actor. He is considered one of the first Native Hollywood stars. He made his debut in Captain Frank Kleinschmidt’s film Primitive Love , at fourteen. His roles also included Eskimo (1933), Last of the Pagans , Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island , The Jungle Princess , Hawk of the Wilderness , The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok , Union Pacific , Mutiny on the Blackhawk , Coast Guard (1939), Green Hell , Zanzibar , Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe , South of Pago Pago , Girl from God’s Country , North West Mounted Police , The Devil’s Pipeline , Hold Back the Dawn , Honolulu Lu , Son of Fury , The Mad Doctor of Market Street , The Girl from Alaska , The Tuttles of Tahiti , and Red Snow (1952). He accompanied Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen as a cameraman on his Great Sled Journey. He was also known as Ach-nach-chiak
Ray was the son of Karenak Ellen “Casina”/”Constance” Armstrong and William Mendel “Bill” Wise. His father was a Russian Jewish immigrant. His mother was born in Alaska, and was of Inuit descent. He was married to Galina Kropotkin Liss, until his death, with whom he had a son. His granddaughter is actress Galina Liss .
Ray’s paternal grandfather was named Mendel Wise.
Ray’s paternal grandmother was named Dina/Dena Walsh/Wolsch.
Ray’s maternal grandfather was Preston Keyakpuk Mills (the son of Makpiiquaraq Cole and Makpiiq).
Ray’s maternal grandmother was Lorena Oyon “Nancy” Armstrong (the daughter of Yayuk and Tounounatuk).
Source: Death record of Ray Mala – https://www.findagrave.com