Chief John Big Tree
Biography
Chief John Big Tree was born on June 2, 1877 in Buffalo, New York, as Isaac Johnny John. He was an actor, known for She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) and Devil's Doorway (1950). He died on July 6, 1967 in Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York. One of three men who posed for artist James Fraser for the profile which became the famous "Indian head nickel" or "buffalo nickel" minted 1913-1938. The other two were Chief Two Moons (of the Cheyenne) and Chief Iron Tail (of the Lakota Sioux). The image was reused for a special commemorative $50 gold piece in 2006--the USA's first 24k (pure gold) coin. Big Tree was a member of the Seneca Nation.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (49)
Devil's Doorway
as Thundercloud
1950
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks
1949
Las Vegas Nights
as Indian
1941
Western Union
as Chief Spotted Horse
1941
Hudson's Bay
as Chief
1940
North West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
1940
Too Many Girls
as Chief
1940
Brigham Young
as Big Elk
1940
Maintain the Right
as Chief
1940
Destry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
1939
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back
1939
The Oregon Trail
as Spotted Elk
1939
Susannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited)
1939
Stagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
1939
The Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue
1938
Prairie Thunder
as Indian (uncredited)
1937
Hills of Old Wyoming
as Chief Big Tree
1937
Lost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited)
1937
Maid of Salem
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
1937
The Bold Caballero
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
1936
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Indian John
1936
Custer's Last Stand
as Medicine Man
1936
The Singing Vagabond
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
1935
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Indian
1935
Wheels of Destiny
as Chief War Eagle
1934
King of the Arena
as Circus Indian
1933
The Telegraph Trail
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
1933
The Golden West
as Indian (uncredited)
1932
The Last of the Mohicans
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
1932
Red Fork Range
as Chief Barking Fox
1931
The Big Trail
as Indian (uncredited)
1930
Sioux Blood
as Crazy Wolf
1929
The Overland Telegraph
as Medecine Man
1929
Wyoming
as An Indian
1928
Spoilers of the West
as Red Cloud
1927
Painted Ponies
1927
The Frontiersman
as Grey Eagle
1927
Winners Of The Wilderness
as Chief Pontiac
1927
The Desert's Toll
as Red Eagle
1926
Mantrap
as Indian (uncredited)
1926
The Frontier Trail
as Chief Gray Wolf
1926
The Iron Horse
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
1925
The Red Rider
as Indian Chief
1925
The Huntress
as Otebaya
1923
The Primitive Lover
as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
1922
The Avenging Arrow
as Modoc
1921
A Fight For Love
as Swift Deer
1919
The Spirit of '76
as Gowah
1917
The Cactus Blossom
1915