Chief John Big Tree
Acting
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.
Known for
Acting49
movieDevil's Doorway
1950
Thundercloud
movieShe Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949
Chief Pony That Walks
movieWestern Union
1941
Chief Spotted Horse
movieNorth West Mounted Police
1940
Blue Owl (uncredited)
movieToo Many Girls
1940
Chief (uncredited)
movieBrigham Young
1940
Big Elk
movieDestry Rides Again
1939
Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
movieDrums Along the Mohawk
1939
Blue Back
movieThe Oregon Trail
1939
Spotted Elk
movieSusannah of the Mounties
1939
Chief (uncredited)
movieStagecoach
1939
Indian Scout (uncredited)
movieThe Girl of the Golden West
1938
Indian Chief in Prologue
moviePrairie Thunder
1937
Indian (uncredited)
movieHills of Old Wyoming
1937
Chief Big Tree
movieLost Horizon
1937
Porter (uncredited)
movieMaid of Salem
1937
Indian Man (Uncredited)
movieThe Bold Caballero
1936
Tavern Indian (uncredited)
movieThe Adventures of Frank Merriwell
1936
Indian John
movieCuster's Last Stand
1936
Medicine Man
movieThe Singing Vagabond
1935
Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
movieWheels of Destiny
1934
Chief War Eagle
movieKing of the Arena
1933
Circus Indian
movieThe Telegraph Trail
1933
Indian Chief (uncredited)
movieThe Golden West
1932
Indian (uncredited)
movieThe Last of the Mohicans
1932
Huron Warrior (uncredited)
movieRed Fork Range
1931
Chief Barking Fox
movieThe Big Trail
1930
Indian (uncredited)
movieSioux Blood
1929
Crazy Wolf
movieThe Overland Telegraph
1929
Medecine Man
Wyoming
1928
An Indian
movieSpoilers of the West
1927
Red Cloud
movieThe Frontiersman
1927
Grey Eagle
movieWinners Of The Wilderness
1927
Chief Pontiac
movieThe Desert's Toll
1926
Red Eagle
movieMantrap
1926
Indian (uncredited)
movieThe Frontier Trail
1926
Chief Gray Wolf
movieThe Iron Horse
1925
Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
movieThe Red Rider
1925
Indian Chief
movieThe Huntress
1923
Otebaya
movieThe Primitive Lover
1922
Chief Johnny Bluebottle
movieA Fight For Love
1919
Swift Deer
