Chief John Big Tree
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.
Acted in
Devil's Doorway
1950
as Thundercloud
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949
as Chief Pony That Walks
Western Union
1941
as Chief Spotted Horse
Hudson's Bay
1941
as Chief
North West Mounted Police
1940
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
1940
as Chief
Brigham Young
1940
as Big Elk
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)
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
Spoilers of the West
1927
as Red Cloud
Painted Ponies
1927
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 Red Rider
1925
as Indian Chief
The Iron Horse
1924
as Cheyenne Chief
The Huntress
1923
as Otebaya
The Primitive Lover
1922
as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
A Fight For Love
1919
as Swift Deer
The Spirit of '76
1917
as Gowah