Chief John Big Tree
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.
Filmography
Devil's Doorway
as Thundercloud
Devil's Doorway
as Thundercloud
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
as Chief Pony That Walks
Las Vegas Nights
as Indian
Las Vegas Nights
as Indian
Western Union
as Chief Spotted Horse
Western Union
as Chief Spotted Horse
Hudson's Bay
as Chief
Hudson's Bay
as Chief
North West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
North West Mounted Police
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
as Chief (uncredited)
Too Many Girls
as Chief (uncredited)
Brigham Young
as Big Elk
Brigham Young
as Big Elk
Maintain the Right
as Chief
Maintain the Right
as Chief
Destry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Destry Rides Again
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back
Drums Along the Mohawk
as Blue Back
The Oregon Trail
as Spotted Elk
The Oregon Trail
as Spotted Elk
Susannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited)
Susannah of the Mounties
as Chief (uncredited)
Stagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
Stagecoach
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue
The Girl of the Golden West
as Indian Chief in Prologue
Prairie Thunder
as Indian (uncredited)
Prairie Thunder
as Indian (uncredited)
Hills of Old Wyoming
as Chief Big Tree
Hills of Old Wyoming
as Chief Big Tree
Lost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited)
Lost Horizon
as Porter (uncredited)
Maid of Salem
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
Maid of Salem
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
The Bold Caballero
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
The Bold Caballero
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Indian John
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
as Indian John
Custer's Last Stand
as Medicine Man
Custer's Last Stand
as Medicine Man
The Singing Vagabond
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
The Singing Vagabond
as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
Wheels of Destiny
as Chief War Eagle
Wheels of Destiny
as Chief War Eagle
King of the Arena
as Circus Indian
King of the Arena
as Circus Indian
The Golden West
as Indian (uncredited)
The Golden West
as Indian (uncredited)
The Last of the Mohicans
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
The Last of the Mohicans
as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
The Big Trail
as Indian (uncredited)
The Big Trail
as Indian (uncredited)
The Overland Telegraph
as Medecine Man
The Overland Telegraph
as Medecine Man
Spoilers of the West
as Red Cloud
Spoilers of the West
as Red Cloud
Winners of the Wilderness
as Chief Pontiac
Winners of the Wilderness
as Chief Pontiac
The Iron Horse
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
The Iron Horse
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
The Red Rider
as Indian Chief
The Red Rider
as Indian Chief
The Avenging Arrow
as Modoc
The Avenging Arrow
as Modoc
The Cactus Blossom
as Chegup
The Cactus Blossom
as Chegup