A Native American actor who has overcome personal demons to find a role in The Twilight Saga will speak to students today.

Chaske Spencer will speak to students at 10:30 a.m. today during career day events at Watchetaker Hall at the Comanche Nation Tribal Complex. Spencer played the role of werewolf Sam Uley in 2009's "New Moon," based on Stephenie Meyer's novel of the same name. He finished filming "Eclipse" in October 2009, reprising his role as Sam. The movie is due a fall release.

Spencer is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He celebrated his one-year anniversary of being sober when he signed his contract for "New Moon."

Born in Tahlequah, Spencer grew up in Montana, Kooskia, Lapwai, and Lewiston, Idaho. His heritage includes Lakota, Nez Perce, Cherokee, Creek, French, and Dutch, and he is a member of the Fort Peck Tribe. He graduated from Clearwater Valley High School in 1994, where he went by the name James Spencer and acted as a young teen at the Lewiston Civic Theater. Spencer went to college at Lewis Clark State College for a year before dropping out to pursue his acting career.

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