Acting
Chief John Big Tree
EN, XX cinema · 50 credits
Born
2 June 1877
Died
6 July 1967 (aged 90)
Birthplace
Buffalo, New York, USA
Also known as Chief Big Tree · Isaac Johnny John
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
Filmography
Devil's Doorway
as Thundercloud
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks
Western Union
as Chief Spotted Horse
Las Vegas Nights
as Indian
Hudson's Bay
as Chief
Brigham Young
as Big Elk
North West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
as Chief (uncredited)
Stagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
Susannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited)
The Oregon Trail
as Spotted Elk
Destry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back
The Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue
Lost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited)
Hills of Old Wyoming
as Chief Big Tree
Prairie Thunder
as Indian (uncredited)
Maid of Salem
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
Custer's Last Stand
as Medicine Man
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Indian John
The Bold Caballero
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
The Singing Vagabond
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Indian
Wheels of Destiny
as Chief War Eagle
The Cat's-Paw
as Chinese Guard (uncredited)
The Telegraph Trail
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
King of the Arena
as Circus Indian
The Last of the Mohicans
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
The Golden West
as Indian (uncredited)
Red Fork Range
as Chief Barking Fox
The Big Trail
as Indian (uncredited)
The Overland Telegraph
as Medecine Man
Sioux Blood
as Crazy Wolf
Wyoming
1928
Wyoming
as An Indian
Winners of the Wilderness
as Chief Pontiac
The Frontiersman
as Grey Eagle
Spoilers of the West
as Red Cloud
The Frontier Trail
as Chief Gray Wolf
Mantrap
as Indian (uncredited)
The Desert's Toll
as Red Eagle
The Red Rider
as Indian Chief
The Iron Horse
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
The Huntress
as Otebaya
The Primitive Lover
as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
The Avenging Arrow
as Modoc
A Fight For Love
as Swift Deer
The Spirit of '76
as Gowah