Acting · Buffalo, New York, USA · Born June 2, 1877
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.
MovieDevil's Doorway
1950
as Thundercloud
MovieShe Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949
as Chief Pony That Walks
MovieLas Vegas Nights
1941
as Indian
MovieWestern Union
1941
as Chief Spotted Horse
MovieHudson's Bay
1940
as Chief
MovieNorth West Mounted Police
1940
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
MovieToo Many Girls
1940
as Chief (uncredited)
MovieBrigham Young
1940
as Big Elk
Maintain the Right
1940
as Chief
MovieDestry Rides Again
1939
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
MovieDrums Along the Mohawk
1939
as Blue Back
MovieThe Oregon Trail
1939
as Spotted Elk
MovieSusannah of the Mounties
1939
as Chief (uncredited)
MovieStagecoach
1939
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
MovieThe Girl of the Golden West
1938
as Indian Chief in Prologue
MoviePrairie Thunder
1937
as Indian (uncredited)
MovieHills of Old Wyoming
1937
as Chief Big Tree
MovieLost Horizon
1937
as Porter (uncredited)
MovieMaid of Salem
1937
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
MovieThe Bold Caballero
1936
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
MovieThe Adventures of Frank Merriwell
1936
as Indian John
MovieCuster's Last Stand
1936
as Medicine Man
MovieThe Singing Vagabond
1935
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
MovieThe Farmer Takes a Wife
1935
as Indian
MovieWheels of Destiny
1934
as Chief War Eagle
MovieKing of the Arena
1933
as Circus Indian
MovieThe Telegraph Trail
1933
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
MovieThe Golden West
1932
as Indian (uncredited)
MovieThe Last of the Mohicans
1932
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
MovieRed Fork Range
1931
as Chief Barking Fox
MovieThe Big Trail
1930
as Indian (uncredited)
MovieSioux Blood
1929
as Crazy Wolf
MovieThe Overland Telegraph
1929
as Medecine Man
Wyoming
1928
as An Indian
MovieSpoilers of the West
1927
as Red Cloud
MoviePainted Ponies
1927
MovieThe Frontiersman
1927
as Grey Eagle
MovieWinners Of The Wilderness
1927
as Chief Pontiac
MovieThe Desert's Toll
1926
as Red Eagle
MovieMantrap
1926
as Indian (uncredited)
MovieThe Frontier Trail
1926
as Chief Gray Wolf
MovieThe Iron Horse
1925
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
MovieThe Red Rider
1925
as Indian Chief
MovieThe Huntress
1923
as Otebaya
MovieThe Primitive Lover
1922
as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
MovieThe Avenging Arrow
1921
as Modoc
MovieA Fight For Love
1919
as Swift Deer
MovieThe Spirit of '76
1917
as Gowah
The Cactus Blossom
1915
as Chegup
