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
Prominent works featuring Chief John Big Tree
Stagecoach
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Lost Horizon
Destry Rides Again
The Big Trail
Drums Along the Mohawk
Western Union
The Iron Horse
Devil's Doorway
North West Mounted Police
Filmography & Credits
Complete career catalog (49 titles)
| Poster | Title | Character / Role | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Devil's Doorway | Thundercloud | Movie | 1950 |
 | She Wore a Yellow Ribbon | Chief Pony That Walks | Movie | 1949 |
 | Las Vegas Nights | Indian | Movie | 1941 |
 | Western Union | Chief Spotted Horse | Movie | 1941 |
 | Hudson's Bay | Chief | Movie | 1940 |
 | North West Mounted Police | Blue Owl (uncredited) | Movie | 1940 |
 | Too Many Girls | Chief (uncredited) | Movie | 1940 |
 | Brigham Young | Big Elk | Movie | 1940 |
| Maintain the Right | Chief | Movie | 1940 | |
 | Destry Rides Again | Indian in Saloon (uncredited) | Movie | 1939 |
 | Drums Along the Mohawk | Blue Back | Movie | 1939 |
 | The Oregon Trail | Spotted Elk | Movie | 1939 |
 | Susannah of the Mounties | Chief (uncredited) | Movie | 1939 |
 | Stagecoach | Indian Scout (uncredited) | Movie | 1939 |
 | The Girl of the Golden West | Indian Chief in Prologue | Movie | 1938 |
 | Prairie Thunder | Indian (uncredited) | Movie | 1937 |
 | Hills of Old Wyoming | Chief Big Tree | Movie | 1937 |
 | Lost Horizon | Porter (uncredited) | Movie | 1937 |
 | Maid of Salem | Indian Man (Uncredited) | Movie | 1937 |
 | The Bold Caballero | Tavern Indian (uncredited) | Movie | 1936 |
 | The Adventures of Frank Merriwell | Indian John | Movie | 1936 |
 | Custer's Last Stand | Medicine Man | Movie | 1936 |
 | The Singing Vagabond | Chief White Eagle (uncredited) | Movie | 1935 |
 | The Farmer Takes a Wife | Indian | Movie | 1935 |
 | Wheels of Destiny | Chief War Eagle | Movie | 1934 |
 | King of the Arena | Circus Indian | Movie | 1933 |
 | The Telegraph Trail | Indian Chief (uncredited) | Movie | 1933 |
 | The Golden West | Indian (uncredited) | Movie | 1932 |
 | The Last of the Mohicans | Huron Warrior (uncredited) | Movie | 1932 |
 | Red Fork Range | Chief Barking Fox | Movie | 1931 |
 | The Big Trail | Indian (uncredited) | Movie | 1930 |
 | Sioux Blood | Crazy Wolf | Movie | 1929 |
 | The Overland Telegraph | Medecine Man | Movie | 1929 |
| Wyoming | An Indian | Movie | 1928 | |
 | Spoilers of the West | Red Cloud | Movie | 1927 |
 | Painted Ponies | Self / Appearance | Movie | 1927 |
 | The Frontiersman | Grey Eagle | Movie | 1927 |
 | Winners of the Wilderness | Chief Pontiac | Movie | 1927 |
 | The Desert's Toll | Red Eagle | Movie | 1926 |
 | Mantrap | Indian (uncredited) | Movie | 1926 |
 | The Frontier Trail | Chief Gray Wolf | Movie | 1926 |
 | The Iron Horse | Cheyenne Chief (uncredited) | Movie | 1925 |
 | The Red Rider | Indian Chief | Movie | 1925 |
 | The Huntress | Otebaya | Movie | 1923 |
 | The Primitive Lover | Chief Johnny Bluebottle | Movie | 1922 |
 | The Avenging Arrow | Modoc | Movie | 1921 |
 | A Fight For Love | Swift Deer | Movie | 1919 |
 | The Spirit of '76 | Gowah | Movie | 1917 |
| The Cactus Blossom | Chegup | Movie | 1915 |