CHIEF JOHN BIG TREE
Information From IMDb
Date of Birth
2 June 1877,
Michigan, USA
Date of Death
6 July 1967,
Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York, USA
Birth Name
Isaac Johnny John
Mini Biography
Chief John Big Tree , born Isaac Johnny John,
was a member of the Seneca Nation and an actor
who appeared in 59 films between 1915 and 1950.
One of three men who posed for artist James Fraser
for the profile which became the famous "Indian head nickel"
or "buffalo nickel" minted 1913-38.
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 claimed that his profile was used to create that portion
of the portrait from the top of the forehead to the upper lip.
Big Tree also claimed to be the sole model for Fraser's
most recognized work, the doleful "End of the Trail"
Both of these claims are broadly disputed, and Fraser
identified other models
He also appeared on the March 1964 cover of Esquire magazine
in a pose commemorating the Indian Head nickel.
Biography by ethanedwards
Filmography
Actor
1. Devil's Doorway (1950) .... Thundercloud
2. She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) .... Chief Pony That Walks
3. Unconquered (1947) (uncredited) .... Indian
4. Las Vegas Nights (1941) (uncredited)
5. Western Union (1941) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Chief Spotted Horse
6. Hudson's Bay (1941) .... Chief
7. North West Mounted Police (1940) (uncredited) .... Blue Owl
8. Too Many Girls (1940) (uncredited) .... Chief
9. Brigham Young (1940) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Big Elk
... aka "Brigham Young: Frontiersman" - UK, USA (promotional title)
10. Pioneers of the West (1940) (uncredited) .... Indian chief
11. Heroes of the Saddle (1940) (uncredited) .... Rodeo Indian
12. Destry Rides Again (1939) (uncredited) .... Indian in Saloon
13. Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Blue Back
14. Susannah of the Mounties (1939) (uncredited) .... Chief
15. The Oregon Trail (1939) (uncredited) .... Spotted Elk
16. Stagecoach (1939) (uncredited) .... Indian scout
17. Hawk of the Wilderness (1938) (uncredited) .... Medicine Man
18. Flaming Frontiers (1938) (uncredited) .... Arapaho chief (Chs . 12-13)
19. The Girl of the Golden West (1938) (uncredited) .... Indian Chief in Prologue
20. Prairie Thunder (1937) (uncredited) .... Indian
21. The Painted Stallion (1937) (uncredited) .... Commanche Chief [Ch. 1]
22. Hills of Old Wyoming (1937) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Chief Big Tree
23. Maid of Salem (1937) (uncredited) .... Indian
24. Lost Horizon (1937) (uncredited) .... Porter
... aka "Lost Horizon of Shangri-La" - USA (reissue title)
25. The Bold Caballero (1936) (uncredited) .... Tavern Indian
26. Daniel Boone (1936) (uncredited) .... Wyandotte warrior
27. Custer's Last Stand (1936/I) (as Big Tree) .... Medicine Man [Ch. 9]
28. The Singing Vagabond (1935) (uncredited) .... Chief White Eagle
29. The Miracle Rider (1935) (uncredited) .... Old Indian [Ch. 1]
30. Wake Up and Dream (1934) (uncredited) .... First Indian
31. The Cat's-Paw (1934) (uncredited) .... Chinese Guards
32. Wheels of Destiny (1934) (as Big Tree) .... Chief War Eagle
33. Massacre (1934) (uncredited) .... Indian Judge
34. King of the Arena (1933) (uncredited) .... Circus Indian
35. The Telegraph Trail (1933) (uncredited) .... Indian Chief
36. The Golden West (1932) (uncredited) .... Indian
37. The Last of the Mohicans (1932) (uncredited) .... Huron warrior
38. Fighting Caravans (1931) (uncredited) .... Indian chief in opening credits
... aka "Blazing Arrows" - USA (TV title)
39. Red Fork Range (1931) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Chief Barking Fox
40. The Big Trail (1930) (uncredited) .... Indian
41. Sioux Blood (1929) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Crazy Wolf
42. The Overland Telegraph (1929) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Medicine Man
43. Wyoming (1928) (as Chief Big Tree) .... An Indian
44. Spoilers of the West (1927) .... Red Cloud
45. Painted Ponies (1927)
46. The Frontiersman (1927) .... Grey Eagle
47. Winners of the Wilderness (1927) .... Chief Pontiac
48. The Desert's Toll (1926) .... Red Eagle
49. The Frontier Trail (1926) .... Chief Gray Wolf
50. Ranson's Folly (1926) .... Chief Standing Bear
51. The Red Rider (1925) .... Indian Chief
52. The Iron Horse (1924) (uncredited) .... Cheyenne Chief
53. The Huntress (1923) .... Otebaya
54. The Primitive Lover (1922) .... Indian Chief
55. The Avenging Arrow (1921) .... Madoo
56. A Fight for Love (1919) .... Swift Deer
57. The Spirit of '76 (1917) (as Chief Big Tree) .... Gowah
58. The Cactus Blossom (1915) (as Chief Big Tree)
59. Author! Author! (1915) .... Peter Lone Wolf
... aka "Buck Parvin #5: Author! Author!" - USA (series title)
Self
1. "I've Got a Secret" .... Himself (1 episode, 1962)
- Episode dated 8 October 1962 (1962) TV episode .... Himself
Archive Footage
1. The Painted Stallion (1938) (uncredited) .... Indian Chief
2. Custer's Last Stand (1936/II) (uncredited) .... Medicine Man
