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Chief John Big Tree

Actor

Chief John Big Tree

Born June 2, 1877 in Buffalo, New York, USADied July 6, 196750 films

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.

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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.

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The best way into Chief John Big Tree's work
Stagecoach posterFirst watchStagecoach19397.6as Indian Scout (uncredited)A group of people traveling on a stagecoach find their journey complicated by the threat of Geronimo, and learn something about each other in the process.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon poster6.9She Wore a Yellow Ribbon1949Lost Horizon poster6.9Lost Horizon1937Destry Rides Again poster7.2Destry Rides Again1939The Big Trail poster6.8The Big Trail1930Drums Along the Mohawk poster6.5Drums Along the Mohawk1939The Iron Horse poster6.8The Iron Horse1925Devil's Doorway poster6.9Devil's Doorway1950Western Union poster6.0Western Union1941

Filmography

50 films as actor
  1. 1950Devil's DoorwayThundercloud
  2. 1949She Wore a Yellow RibbonChief Pony That Walks
  3. 1941Las Vegas NightsIndian
  4. 1941Western UnionChief Spotted Horse
  5. 1940Hudson's BayChief
  6. 1940North West Mounted PoliceBlue Owl (uncredited)
  7. 1940Too Many GirlsChief (uncredited)
  8. 1940Brigham YoungBig Elk
  9. 1940Maintain the RightChief
  10. 1939Destry Rides AgainIndian in Saloon (uncredited)
  11. 1939Drums Along the MohawkBlue Back
  12. 1939The Oregon TrailSpotted Elk
  13. 1939Susannah of the MountiesChief (uncredited)
  14. 1939StagecoachIndian Scout (uncredited)
  15. 1938The Girl of the Golden WestIndian Chief in Prologue
  16. 1937Prairie ThunderIndian (uncredited)
  17. 1937Hills of Old WyomingChief Big Tree
  18. 1937Lost HorizonPorter (uncredited)
  19. 1937Maid of SalemIndian Man (Uncredited)
  20. 1936The Bold CaballeroTavern Indian (uncredited)
  21. 1936The Adventures of Frank MerriwellIndian John
  22. 1936Custer's Last StandMedicine Man
  23. 1935The Singing VagabondChief White Eagle (uncredited)
  24. 1935The Farmer Takes a WifeIndian
  25. 1934The Cat's-PawChinese Guard (uncredited)
  26. 1934Wheels of DestinyChief War Eagle
  27. 1933King of the ArenaCircus Indian
  28. 1933The Telegraph TrailIndian Chief (uncredited)
  29. 1932The Golden WestIndian (uncredited)
  30. 1932The Last of the MohicansHuron Warrior (uncredited)
  31. 1931Red Fork RangeChief Barking Fox
  32. 1930The Big TrailIndian (uncredited)
  33. 1929Sioux BloodCrazy Wolf
  34. 1929The Overland TelegraphMedecine Man
  35. 1928WyomingAn Indian
  36. 1927Spoilers of the WestRed Cloud
  37. 1927Painted Ponies
  38. 1927The FrontiersmanGrey Eagle
  39. 1927Winners of the WildernessChief Pontiac
  40. 1926The Desert's TollRed Eagle
  41. 1926MantrapIndian (uncredited)
  42. 1926The Frontier TrailChief Gray Wolf
  43. 1925The Iron HorseCheyenne Chief (uncredited)
  44. 1925The Red RiderIndian Chief
  45. 1923The HuntressOtebaya
  46. 1922The Primitive LoverChief Johnny Bluebottle
  47. 1921The Avenging ArrowModoc
  48. 1919A Fight For LoveSwift Deer
  49. 1917The Spirit of '76Gowah
  50. 1915The Cactus BlossomChegup