Chief John Big Tree
Acting Born Jun 2, 1877 Buffalo, New York, USA 24 credits
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.
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Full filmography
- Stagecoach (1939) as Indian Scout (uncredited)
- She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) as Chief Pony That Walks
- Lost Horizon (1937) as Porter (uncredited)
- The Telegraph Trail (1933) as Indian Chief (uncredited)
- Western Union (1941) as Chief Spotted Horse
- Brigham Young (1940) as Big Elk
- Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) as Blue Back
- Destry Rides Again (1939) as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
- The Big Trail (1930) as Indian (uncredited)
- Maid of Salem (1937) as Indian Man (Uncredited)
- The Bold Caballero (1936) as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
- North West Mounted Police (1940) as Blue Owl (uncredited)
- Devil's Doorway (1950) as Thundercloud
- The Iron Horse (1925) as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
- The Oregon Trail (1939) as Spotted Elk
- Hudson's Bay (1940) as Chief
- Susannah of the Mounties (1939) as Chief (uncredited)
- Custer's Last Stand (1936) as Medicine Man
- The Last of the Mohicans (1932) as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
- Too Many Girls (1940) as Chief
- Las Vegas Nights (1941) as Indian
- The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) as Indian
- Mantrap (1926) as Indian (uncredited)
- Hills of Old Wyoming (1937) as Chief Big Tree