
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.

as Porter (uncredited)

as Indian Scout (uncredited)
1939

as Blue Owl (uncredited)
1940

as Porter (uncredited)
1937

as Otebaya
1923

as Indian (uncredited)
1930

as Chief Pony That Walks
1949

as Chief Spotted Horse
1941

as Blue Back
1939

as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
1939

as Grey Eagle
1927

as Thundercloud
1950

as Gowah
1917
as Indian
1941

as Thundercloud
1950

as Chief Pony That Walks
1949

as Indian
1941

as Chief Spotted Horse
1941

as Chief
1940

as Blue Owl (uncredited)
1940

as Chief
1940

as Big Elk
1940
as Chief
1940

as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
1939

as Blue Back
1939

as Spotted Elk
1939

as Chief (uncredited)
1939

as Indian Scout (uncredited)
1939

as Indian Chief in Prologue
1938

as Indian (uncredited)
1937

as Chief Big Tree
1937

as Porter (uncredited)
1937

as Indian Man (Uncredited)
1937

as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
1936

as Indian John
1936

as Medicine Man
1936

as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
1935

as Indian
1935