Chief John Big Tree
Acting
Born 1877-06-02 · Buffalo, New York, USA · Died 1967-07-06
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.
Acting
Devil's Doorway
Thundercloud
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Chief Pony That Walks
Las Vegas Nights
Indian
Western Union
Chief Spotted Horse
Hudson's Bay
Chief
North West Mounted Police
Blue Owl (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
Chief
Brigham Young
Big Elk
Maintain the Right
Chief
Destry Rides Again
Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk
Blue Back
The Oregon Trail
Spotted Elk
Susannah of the Mounties
Chief (uncredited)
Stagecoach
Indian Scout (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
Indian Chief in Prologue
Prairie Thunder
Indian (uncredited)
Hills of Old Wyoming
Chief Big Tree
Lost Horizon
Porter (uncredited)
Maid of Salem
Indian Man (Uncredited)
The Bold Caballero
Tavern Indian (uncredited)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
Indian John
Custer's Last Stand
Medicine Man
The Singing Vagabond
Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Indian
Wheels of Destiny
Chief War Eagle
King of the Arena
Circus Indian
The Telegraph Trail
Indian Chief (uncredited)
The Golden West
Indian (uncredited)
The Last of the Mohicans
Huron Warrior (uncredited)
Red Fork Range
Chief Barking Fox