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 & TV Shows
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Stagecoach (1939) — Indian Scout (uncredited)
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She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) — Chief Pony That Walks
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Lost Horizon (1937) — Porter (uncredited)
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Destry Rides Again (1939) — Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
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The Big Trail (1930) — Indian (uncredited)
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Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) — Blue Back
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Western Union (1941) — Chief Spotted Horse
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The Iron Horse (1925) — Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
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Devil's Doorway (1950) — Thundercloud
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North West Mounted Police (1940) — Blue Owl (uncredited)
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The Telegraph Trail (1933) — Indian Chief (uncredited)
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Susannah of the Mounties (1939) — Chief (uncredited)
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Brigham Young (1940) — Big Elk
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Too Many Girls (1940) — Chief (uncredited)
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The Bold Caballero (1936) — Tavern Indian (uncredited)
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Mantrap (1926) — Indian (uncredited)
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Hudson's Bay (1940) — Chief
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The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) — Indian
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Maid of Salem (1937) — Indian Man (Uncredited)
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The Girl of the Golden West (1938) — Indian Chief in Prologue
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The Primitive Lover (1922) — Chief Johnny Bluebottle
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Las Vegas Nights (1941) — Indian
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The Last of the Mohicans (1932) — Huron Warrior (uncredited)
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Prairie Thunder (1937) — Indian (uncredited)
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Wheels of Destiny (1934) — Chief War Eagle
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Custer's Last Stand (1936) — Medicine Man
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Winners Of The Wilderness (1927) — Chief Pontiac
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The Adventures of Frank Merriwell (1936) — Indian John
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The Oregon Trail (1939) — Spotted Elk
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Hills of Old Wyoming (1937) — Chief Big Tree
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The Singing Vagabond (1935) — Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
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A Fight For Love (1919) — Swift Deer
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King of the Arena (1933) — Circus Indian
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The Golden West (1932) — Indian (uncredited)
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The Overland Telegraph (1929) — Medecine Man
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Sioux Blood (1929) — Crazy Wolf
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The Red Rider (1925) — Indian Chief
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The Frontier Trail (1926) — Chief Gray Wolf
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Painted Ponies (1927)
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Red Fork Range (1931) — Chief Barking Fox