Chief John Big Tree
Actor
- Born
- June 2, 1877 · Buffalo, New York, USA
- Died
- July 6, 1967 (age 90)
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.
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Big Tree was a member of the Seneca Nation.
Known for
Stagecoach
March 2, 1939
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
October 22, 1949
Lost Horizon
March 3, 1937
Destry Rides Again
November 30, 1939
The Big Trail
November 1, 1930
Drums Along the Mohawk
November 10, 1939
Western Union
February 21, 1941
The Iron Horse
October 4, 1925
Devil's Doorway
August 18, 1950
North West Mounted Police
October 22, 1940
The Telegraph Trail
March 18, 1933
The Cat's-Paw
August 7, 1934
Acting50
- 1950Devil's Doorway as Thundercloud
- 1949She Wore a Yellow Ribbon as Chief Pony That Walks
- 1941Las Vegas Nights as Indian
- 1941Western Union as Chief Spotted Horse
- 1940Hudson's Bay as Chief
- 1940North West Mounted Police as Blue Owl (uncredited)
- 1940Too Many Girls as Chief (uncredited)
- 1940Brigham Young as Big Elk
- 1940Maintain the Right as Chief
- 1939Destry Rides Again