Chief John Big Tree
Acting
Born: 1877-06-02 in Buffalo, New York, USA
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.
Known For
Stagecoach
Indian Scout (uncredited)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Chief Pony That Walks
The Big Trail
Indian (uncredited)
Lost Horizon
Porter (uncredited)
Brigham Young
Big Elk
Western Union
Chief Spotted Horse
North West Mounted Police
Blue Owl (uncredited)
The Iron Horse
Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
Destry Rides Again
Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
The Oregon Trail
Spotted Elk
Drums Along the Mohawk
Blue Back
Maid of Salem
Indian Man (Uncredited)
Devil's Doorway
Thundercloud
The Golden West
Indian (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
Chief (uncredited)
The Avenging Arrow
Modoc
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Indian
Mantrap
Indian (uncredited)
The Bold Caballero
Tavern Indian (uncredited)
Hudson's Bay
Chief
Susannah of the Mounties
Chief (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
Indian Chief in Prologue
Custer's Last Stand
Medicine Man
King of the Arena
Circus Indian
Las Vegas Nights
Indian
Spoilers of the West
Red Cloud
The Huntress
Otebaya
Winners of the Wilderness
Chief Pontiac
The Telegraph Trail
Indian Chief (uncredited)
The Red Rider
Indian Chief
The Last of the Mohicans
Huron Warrior (uncredited)
The Overland Telegraph
Medecine Man
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
Indian John
Prairie Thunder
Indian (uncredited)
Red Fork Range
Chief Barking Fox
Painted Ponies
Sioux Blood
Crazy Wolf