Chief John Big Tree

Known for ActingBorn 1877-06-02Died 1967-07-06Buffalo, 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.Read more

Movies & web series

King of the Arena

The Frontier Trail

The Overland Telegraph

Sioux Blood

The Frontiersman

The Red Rider

Red Fork Range

Wyoming

Painted Ponies

The Huntress

The Spirit of '76

The Cactus Blossom

Stagecoach

Winners Of The Wilderness

The Oregon Trail

The Singing Vagabond

Destry Rides Again

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

Maintain the Right

Devil's Doorway

Lost Horizon

Spoilers of the West

The Desert's Toll

The Avenging Arrow

The Last of the Mohicans

The Big Trail

The Iron Horse

The Primitive Lover

Susannah of the Mounties

Drums Along the Mohawk

Las Vegas Nights

North West Mounted Police

The Farmer Takes a Wife

Maid of Salem

Hudson's Bay

Mantrap

Western Union

The Bold Caballero

Too Many Girls

A Fight For Love

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell

The Golden West

Custer's Last Stand

The Girl of the Golden West

Wheels of Destiny

Hills of Old Wyoming

The Telegraph Trail

Brigham Young