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Chief John Big Tree

Chief John Big Tree

Acting

Born: June 2, 1877Buffalo, New York, USA

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.

Known For
Filmography
Devil's Doorway

Devil's Doorway

Thundercloud

1950
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Chief Pony That Walks

1949
Las Vegas Nights

Las Vegas Nights

Indian

1941
Western Union

Western Union

Chief Spotted Horse

1941
Hudson's Bay

Hudson's Bay

Chief

1940
North West Mounted Police

North West Mounted Police

Blue Owl (uncredited)

1940
Too Many Girls

Too Many Girls

Chief

1940
Brigham Young

Brigham Young

Big Elk

1940

Maintain the Right

Chief

1940
Destry Rides Again

Destry Rides Again

Indian in Saloon (uncredited)

1939
Drums Along the Mohawk

Drums Along the Mohawk

Blue Back

1939
The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail

Spotted Elk

1939
Susannah of the Mounties

Susannah of the Mounties

Chief (uncredited)

1939
Stagecoach

Stagecoach

Indian Scout (uncredited)

1939
The Girl of the Golden West

The Girl of the Golden West

Indian Chief in Prologue

1938
Prairie Thunder

Prairie Thunder

Indian (uncredited)

1937
Hills of Old Wyoming

Hills of Old Wyoming

Chief Big Tree

1937
Lost Horizon

Lost Horizon

Porter (uncredited)

1937
Maid of Salem

Maid of Salem

Indian Man (Uncredited)

1937
The Bold Caballero

The Bold Caballero

Tavern Indian (uncredited)

1936
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

Indian John

1936
Custer's Last Stand

Custer's Last Stand

Medicine Man

1936
The Singing Vagabond

The Singing Vagabond

Chief White Eagle (uncredited)

1935
The Farmer Takes a Wife

The Farmer Takes a Wife

Indian

1935
Wheels of Destiny

Wheels of Destiny

Chief War Eagle

1934
King of the Arena

King of the Arena

Circus Indian

1933
The Telegraph Trail

The Telegraph Trail

Indian Chief (uncredited)

1933
The Golden West

The Golden West

Indian (uncredited)

1932
The Last of the Mohicans

The Last of the Mohicans

Huron Warrior (uncredited)

1932
Red Fork Range

Red Fork Range

Chief Barking Fox

1931
The Big Trail

The Big Trail

Indian (uncredited)

1930
Sioux Blood

Sioux Blood

Crazy Wolf

1929
The Overland Telegraph

The Overland Telegraph

Medecine Man

1929

Wyoming

An Indian

1928
Spoilers of the West

Spoilers of the West

Red Cloud

1927
Painted Ponies

Painted Ponies

1927
The Frontiersman

The Frontiersman

Grey Eagle

1927
Winners Of The Wilderness

Winners Of The Wilderness

Chief Pontiac

1927
The Desert's Toll

The Desert's Toll

Red Eagle

1926
Mantrap

Mantrap

Indian (uncredited)

1926
The Frontier Trail

The Frontier Trail

Chief Gray Wolf

1926
The Iron Horse

The Iron Horse

Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)

1925
The Red Rider

The Red Rider

Indian Chief

1925
The Huntress

The Huntress

Otebaya

1923
The Primitive Lover

The Primitive Lover

Chief Johnny Bluebottle

1922
The Avenging Arrow

The Avenging Arrow

Modoc

1921
A Fight For Love

A Fight For Love

Swift Deer

1919
The Spirit of '76

The Spirit of '76

Gowah

1917

The Cactus Blossom

Chegup

1915