Chief John Big Tree
ActingAlso Known As
Chief Big Tree, Isaac Johnny John
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.
Movies
(49 total)
Stagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks
Lost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited)
Destry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
The Big Trail
as Indian (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back
Western Union
as Chief Spotted Horse
The Iron Horse
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
Devil's Doorway
as Thundercloud
North West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
The Telegraph Trail
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
Susannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited)
Brigham Young
as Big Elk
The Bold Caballero
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
Mantrap
as Indian (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
as Chief
Hudson's Bay
as Chief
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Indian
Maid of Salem
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue