6.9
Movie
Acting
Chief John Big Tree
- Born
- Died
- (aged 90)
- Birthplace
- Buffalo, New York, USA
- Credits
- 50 titles
Biography
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.
Signature work
Known For
6.9
Movie
6.5
Movie
Drums Along the Mohawk
6.0
Movie
Western Union
6.9
Movie
Devil's Doorway
4.6
Movie
Brigham Young
6.1
Movie
Hudson's Bay
6.1
Movie
The Farmer Takes a Wife
5.3
Movie
The Girl of the Golden West
6.7
Movie
The Primitive Lover
6.4
Movie
Las Vegas Nights
5.3
Movie
Wheels of Destiny
5.3
Movie
Custer's Last Stand
7.7
Movie
Winners of the Wilderness
5.7
Movie
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
7.5
Movie
The Oregon Trail
5.0
Movie
Hills of Old Wyoming
6.0
Movie
A Fight For Love
8.5
Movie
King of the Arena
Acting credits 50
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Devil's Doorway Film | Thundercloud |
| 1949 | She Wore a Yellow Ribbon Film | Chief Pony That Walks |
| 1941 | Las Vegas Nights Film | Indian |
| 1941 | Western Union Film | Chief Spotted Horse |
| 1940 | Hudson's Bay Film | Chief |
| 1940 | North West Mounted Police Film | Blue Owl (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Too Many Girls Film | Chief (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Brigham Young Film | Big Elk |
| 1940 | Maintain the Right Film | Chief |
| 1939 | Destry Rides Again Film | Indian in Saloon (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Drums Along the Mohawk Film | Blue Back |
| 1939 | The Oregon Trail Film | Spotted Elk |
| 1939 | Susannah of the Mounties Film | Chief (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Stagecoach Film | Indian Scout (uncredited) |
| 1938 | The Girl of the Golden West Film | Indian Chief in Prologue |
| 1937 | Prairie Thunder Film | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Hills of Old Wyoming Film | Chief Big Tree |
| 1937 | Lost Horizon Film | Porter (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Maid of Salem Film | Indian Man (Uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Bold Caballero Film | Tavern Indian (uncredited) |
| 1936 | The Adventures of Frank Merriwell Film | Indian John |
| 1936 | Custer's Last Stand Film | Medicine Man |
| 1935 | The Singing Vagabond Film | Chief White Eagle (uncredited) |
| 1935 | The Farmer Takes a Wife Film | Indian |
| 1934 | The Cat's-Paw Film | Chinese Guard (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Wheels of Destiny Film | Chief War Eagle |
| 1933 | King of the Arena Film | Circus Indian |
| 1933 | The Telegraph Trail Film | Indian Chief (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Golden West Film | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1932 | The Last of the Mohicans Film | Huron Warrior (uncredited) |
| 1931 | Red Fork Range Film | Chief Barking Fox |
| 1930 | The Big Trail Film | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Sioux Blood Film | Crazy Wolf |
| 1929 | The Overland Telegraph Film | Medecine Man |
| 1928 | Wyoming Film | An Indian |
| 1927 | Spoilers of the West Film | Red Cloud |
| 1927 | Painted Ponies Film | |
| 1927 | The Frontiersman Film | Grey Eagle |
| 1927 | Winners of the Wilderness Film | Chief Pontiac |
| 1926 | The Desert's Toll Film | Red Eagle |
| 1926 | Mantrap Film | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1926 | The Frontier Trail Film | Chief Gray Wolf |
| 1925 | The Iron Horse Film | Cheyenne Chief (uncredited) |
| 1925 | The Red Rider Film | Indian Chief |
| 1923 | The Huntress Film | Otebaya |
| 1922 | The Primitive Lover Film | Chief Johnny Bluebottle |
| 1921 | The Avenging Arrow Film | Modoc |
| 1919 | A Fight For Love Film | Swift Deer |
| 1917 | The Spirit of '76 Film | Gowah |
| 1915 | The Cactus Blossom Film | Chegup |