Born 1877 (age 90) · Buffalo, New York, USA
Appears in 49 titles

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

Stagecoach
7.6
Stagecoach
1939
as Indian Scout (uncredited)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
6.9
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949
as Chief Pony That Walks
Lost Horizon
7.0
Lost Horizon
1937
as Porter (uncredited)
Destry Rides Again
7.2
Destry Rides Again
1939
as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
The Big Trail
6.7
The Big Trail
1930
as Indian (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk
6.5
Drums Along the Mohawk
1939
as Blue Back
Western Union
6.0
Western Union
1941
as Chief Spotted Horse
The Iron Horse
6.7
The Iron Horse
1925
as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
Devil's Doorway
6.9
Devil's Doorway
1950
as Thundercloud
North West Mounted Police
6.4
North West Mounted Police
1940
as Blue Owl (uncredited)
The Telegraph Trail
4.9
The Telegraph Trail
1933
as Indian Chief (uncredited)
Susannah of the Mounties
6.5
Susannah of the Mounties
1939
as Chief (uncredited)
Brigham Young
4.6
Brigham Young
1940
as Big Elk
Too Many Girls
5.9
Too Many Girls
1940
as Chief
The Bold Caballero
6.0
The Bold Caballero
1936
as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
Mantrap
6.2
Mantrap
1926
as Indian (uncredited)
Hudson's Bay
6.1
Hudson's Bay
1940
as Chief
The Farmer Takes a Wife
6.2
The Farmer Takes a Wife
1935
as Indian
Maid of Salem
6.2
Maid of Salem
1937
as Indian Man (Uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West
5.3
The Girl of the Golden West
1938
as Indian Chief in Prologue