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