Chief John Big Tree
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- June 2, 1877
- Died
- July 6, 1967
- Birthplace
- 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
Devil's Doorway 1950
as Thundercloud
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon 1949
as Chief Pony That Walks
Las Vegas Nights 1941
as Indian
Western Union 1941
as Chief Spotted Horse
Hudson's Bay 1940
as Chief
North West Mounted Police 1940
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
Too Many Girls 1940
as Chief (uncredited)
Brigham Young 1940
as Big Elk
- Maintain the Right
Maintain the Right 1940
as Chief
Destry Rides Again 1939
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk 1939
as Blue Back
The Oregon Trail 1939
as Spotted Elk
Susannah of the Mounties 1939
as Chief (uncredited)
Stagecoach 1939
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West 1938
as Indian Chief in Prologue
Prairie Thunder 1937
as Indian (uncredited)
Hills of Old Wyoming 1937
as Chief Big Tree
Lost Horizon 1937
as Porter (uncredited)
Maid of Salem 1937
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
The Bold Caballero 1936
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell 1936
as Indian John
Custer's Last Stand 1936
as Medicine Man
The Singing Vagabond 1935
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
The Farmer Takes a Wife 1935
as Indian
The Cat's-Paw 1934
as Chinese Guard (uncredited)
Wheels of Destiny 1934
as Chief War Eagle
King of the Arena 1933
as Circus Indian
The Telegraph Trail 1933
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
The Golden West 1932
as Indian (uncredited)
The Last of the Mohicans 1932
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
Red Fork Range 1931
as Chief Barking Fox
The Big Trail 1930
as Indian (uncredited)
Sioux Blood 1929
as Crazy Wolf
The Overland Telegraph 1929
as Medecine Man
- Wyoming
Wyoming 1928
as An Indian
Spoilers of the West 1927
as Red Cloud
Painted Ponies 1927
Actor
The Frontiersman 1927
as Grey Eagle
Winners of the Wilderness 1927
as Chief Pontiac
The Desert's Toll 1926
as Red Eagle
Mantrap 1926
as Indian (uncredited)
The Frontier Trail 1926
as Chief Gray Wolf
The Iron Horse 1925
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
The Red Rider 1925
as Indian Chief
The Huntress 1923
as Otebaya
The Primitive Lover 1922
as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
The Avenging Arrow 1921
as Modoc
A Fight For Love 1919
as Swift Deer
The Spirit of '76 1917
as Gowah
- The Cactus Blossom
The Cactus Blossom 1915
as Chegup
Credits from TMDB.