Chief John Big Tree
Acting
1877-06-02 · Buffalo, New York, USA
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.
Filmography(49)
movieDevil's Doorway
as Thundercloud · 1950 · 6.9
movieShe Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks · 1949 · 6.9
movieLas Vegas Nights
as Indian · 1941 · 6.4
movieWestern Union
as Chief Spotted Horse · 1941 · 6.0
movieHudson's Bay
as Chief · 1940 · 6.1
movieNorth West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited) · 1940 · 6.4
movieToo Many Girls
as Chief · 1940 · 5.9
movieBrigham Young
as Big Elk · 1940 · 4.6
movieMaintain the Right
as Chief · 1940 · 7.0
movieDestry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited) · 1939 · 7.2
movieDrums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back · 1939 · 6.5
movieThe Oregon Trail
as Spotted Elk · 1939 · 7.5
movieSusannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited) · 1939 · 6.5
movieStagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited) · 1939 · 7.6
movieThe Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue · 1938 · 5.3
moviePrairie Thunder
as Indian (uncredited) · 1937 · 4.3
movieHills of Old Wyoming
as Chief Big Tree · 1937 · 5.0
movieLost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited) · 1937 · 7.0
movieMaid of Salem
as Indian Man (Uncredited) · 1937 · 6.2
movieThe Bold Caballero
as Tavern Indian (uncredited) · 1936 · 6.0
movieThe Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Indian John · 1936 · 5.7
movieCuster's Last Stand
as Medicine Man · 1936 · 5.3
movieThe Singing Vagabond
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited) · 1935 · 7.5
movieThe Farmer Takes a Wife
as Indian · 1935 · 6.2