Known For
Acting
Known Credits
49
Gender
Male
Birthday
June 2, 1877 (149 years old)
Place of Birth
Buffalo, 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.
| 1950 | Devil's Doorwayas Thundercloud | |
| 1949 | She Wore a Yellow Ribbonas Chief Pony That Walks | |
| 1941 | Las Vegas Nightsas Indian | |
| 1941 | Western Unionas Chief Spotted Horse | |
| 1940 | Hudson's Bayas Chief | |
| 1940 | North West Mounted Policeas Blue Owl (uncredited) | |
| 1940 | Too Many Girlsas Chief (uncredited) | |
| 1940 | Brigham Youngas Big Elk | |
| 1940 | Maintain the Rightas Chief | |
| 1939 | Destry Rides Againas Indian in Saloon (uncredited) | |
| 1939 | Drums Along the Mohawkas Blue Back | |
| 1939 | The Oregon Trailas Spotted Elk | |
| 1939 | Susannah of the Mountiesas Chief (uncredited) | |
| 1939 | Stagecoachas Indian Scout (uncredited) | |
| 1938 | The Girl of the Golden Westas Indian Chief in Prologue | |
| 1937 | Prairie Thunderas Indian (uncredited) | |
| 1937 | Hills of Old Wyomingas Chief Big Tree | |
| 1937 | Lost Horizonas Porter (uncredited) | |
| 1937 | Maid of Salemas Indian Man (Uncredited) | |
| 1936 | The Bold Caballeroas Tavern Indian (uncredited) | |
| 1936 | The Adventures of Frank Merriwellas Indian John | |
| 1936 | Custer's Last Standas Medicine Man | |
| 1935 | The Singing Vagabondas Chief White Eagle (uncredited) | |
| 1935 | The Farmer Takes a Wifeas Indian | |
| 1934 | Wheels of Destinyas Chief War Eagle | |
| 1933 | King of the Arenaas Circus Indian | |
| 1933 | The Telegraph Trailas Indian Chief (uncredited) | |
| 1932 | The Golden Westas Indian (uncredited) | |
| 1932 | The Last of the Mohicansas Huron Warrior (uncredited) | |
| 1931 | Red Fork Rangeas Chief Barking Fox | |
| 1930 | The Big Trailas Indian (uncredited) | |
| 1929 | Sioux Bloodas Crazy Wolf | |
| 1929 | The Overland Telegraphas Medecine Man | |
| 1928 | Wyomingas An Indian | |
| 1927 | Spoilers of the Westas Red Cloud | |
| 1927 | Painted Poniesas | |
| 1927 | The Frontiersmanas Grey Eagle | |
| 1927 | Winners Of The Wildernessas Chief Pontiac | |
| 1926 | The Desert's Tollas Red Eagle | |
| 1926 | Mantrapas Indian (uncredited) | |
| 1926 | The Frontier Trailas Chief Gray Wolf | |
| 1925 | The Iron Horseas Cheyenne Chief (uncredited) | |
| 1925 | The Red Rideras Indian Chief | |
| 1923 | The Huntressas Otebaya | |
| 1922 | The Primitive Loveras Chief Johnny Bluebottle | |
| 1921 | The Avenging Arrowas Modoc | |
| 1919 | A Fight For Loveas Swift Deer | |
| 1917 | The Spirit of '76as Gowah | |
| 1915 | The Cactus Blossomas Chegup |
