Chief John Big Tree
Known For
Acting
Born
1877-06-02 in Buffalo, New York, USA
Died
1967-07-06
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.
Most Known For
Brigham Young
as Big Elk
Stagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks
Lost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited)
Western Union
as Chief Spotted Horse
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back
The Big Trail
as Indian (uncredited)
Destry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Devil's Doorway
as Thundercloud
Susannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited)
The Telegraph Trail
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
The Iron Horse
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
Hudson's Bay
as Chief
North West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
The Last of the Mohicans
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue
Too Many Girls
as Chief
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Indian
The Oregon Trail
as Spotted Elk
Custer's Last Stand
as Medicine Man