Chief John Big Tree

Biography

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.

Known For

Stagecoach

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

The Big Trail

Lost Horizon

Western Union

The Iron Horse

Drums Along the Mohawk

North West Mounted Police

All Movies (49)

• Devil's Doorway1950 · as Thundercloud
• She Wore a Yellow Ribbon1949 · as Chief Pony That Walks
• Las Vegas Nights1941 · as Indian
• Western Union1941 · as Chief Spotted Horse
• Hudson's Bay1940 · as Chief
• North West Mounted Police1940 · as Blue Owl (uncredited)
• Too Many Girls1940 · as Chief
• Brigham Young1940 · as Big Elk
• Maintain the Right1940 · as Chief
• Destry Rides Again1939 · as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
• Drums Along the Mohawk1939 · as Blue Back
• The Oregon Trail1939 · as Spotted Elk
• Susannah of the Mounties1939 · as Chief (uncredited)
• Stagecoach1939 · as Indian Scout (uncredited)
• The Girl of the Golden West1938 · as Indian Chief in Prologue
• Prairie Thunder1937 · as Indian (uncredited)
• Hills of Old Wyoming1937 · as Chief Big Tree
• Lost Horizon1937 · as Porter (uncredited)
• Maid of Salem1937 · as Indian Man (Uncredited)
• The Bold Caballero1936 · as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
• The Adventures of Frank Merriwell1936 · as Indian John
• Custer's Last Stand1936 · as Medicine Man
• The Singing Vagabond1935 · as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
• The Farmer Takes a Wife1935 · as Indian
• Wheels of Destiny1934 · as Chief War Eagle
• King of the Arena1933 · as Circus Indian
• The Telegraph Trail1933 · as Indian Chief (uncredited)
• The Golden West1932 · as Indian (uncredited)
• The Last of the Mohicans1932 · as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
• Red Fork Range1931 · as Chief Barking Fox
• The Big Trail1930 · as Indian (uncredited)
• Sioux Blood1929 · as Crazy Wolf
• The Overland Telegraph1929 · as Medecine Man
• Wyoming1928 · as An Indian
• Spoilers of the West1927 · as Red Cloud
• Painted Ponies1927
• The Frontiersman1927 · as Grey Eagle
• Winners Of The Wilderness1927 · as Chief Pontiac
• The Desert's Toll1926 · as Red Eagle
• Mantrap1926 · as Indian (uncredited)
• The Frontier Trail1926 · as Chief Gray Wolf
• The Iron Horse1925 · as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
• The Red Rider1925 · as Indian Chief
• The Huntress1923 · as Otebaya
• The Primitive Lover1922 · as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
• The Avenging Arrow1921 · as Modoc
• A Fight For Love1919 · as Swift Deer
• The Spirit of '761917 · as Gowah
• The Cactus Blossom1915 · as Chegup