CT
Chief John Big Tree
Actor
Died July 6, 1967 (90 years)
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
| 2013 | John Ford et Monument Valley · as actor |
| 1949 | She Wore a Yellow Ribbon · as Chief Pony That Walks |
| 1947 | Unconquered · as Indian |
| 1941 | Western Union · as Chief Spotted Horse |
| 1940 | Brigham Young · as Big Elk |
| 1940 | Too Many Girls · as Chief |
| 1939 | Stagecoach · as Indian Scout (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Susannah of the Mounties · as Chief (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Destry Rides Again · as Indian in Saloon (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Drums Along the Mohawk · as Blue Back |
| 1938 | The Girl of the Golden West · as Indian Chief in Prologue |
| 1938 | The Painted Stallion · as Indian Chief |
| 1937 | Lost Horizon · as Porter |
| 1937 | The Painted Stallion · as Commanche Chief |
| 1936 | Daniel Boone · as Wyandotte Warrior |
| 1936 | The Bold Caballero · as Tavern Indian (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Custer's Last Stand · as Medicine Man |
| 1936 | Custer's Last Stand · as Medicine Man |
| 1935 | The Farmer Takes a Wife · as Indian |
| 1934 | The Cat's-Paw · as Chinese Guards |
| 1933 | The Telegraph Trail · as Indian Chief (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Last of the Mohicans · as Huron Warrior (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Fighting Caravans · as Indian Chief in Opening Credits |
| 1931 | Red Fork Range · as Chief Barking Fox |
| 1930 | The Big Trail · as Indian |
| 1924 | The Iron Horse · as Cheyenne Chief |