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Chief John Big Tree
Chief John Big Tree in Figthing Caravans.jpg
Big Tree in Fighting Caravans (1931)
Born
Isaac Johnny John

(1877-06-02)June 2, 1877
Buffalo, New York City, U.S.
Died July 6, 1967(1967-07-06) (aged 90)
Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1915–1950

Chief John Big Tree (born Isaac Johnny John) was a famous actor. He was a member of the Seneca Nation. He was born on June 2, 1877, in Buffalo, New York. He acted in 59 films between 1915 and 1950. Chief Big Tree passed away on July 6, 1967, at the Onondaga Indian Reservation in New York. He was buried there too.

Chief Big Tree and the Indian Head Nickel

1935 Indian Head Buffalo Nickel
The U.S. Indian Head nickel. Chief Big Tree said he was one of the models for it.

Chief John Big Tree said he was one of three Native American chiefs who helped create the design for the Indian Head nickel. This special coin was designed by a sculptor named James Earle Fraser.

Big Tree claimed that his face was used for the top part of the portrait on the coin. This included his forehead down to his upper lip. The other two chiefs he mentioned were Iron Tail and Two Moons.

The "End of the Trail" Sculpture

JEFEndOfTheTrail
James Earle Fraser's famous sculpture, End of the Trail. Chief Big Tree claimed he was the model for it.

Chief Big Tree also said he was the only model for another famous artwork by James Earle Fraser. This was a sad-looking sculpture called End of the Trail.

However, many people disagree with these claims. The sculptor, James Earle Fraser, actually said he used other models for his works.

Magazine Cover Appearance

Chief John Big Tree was featured on the cover of Esquire magazine in March 1964. The picture showed him in a pose that looked like the Indian Head nickel. This was a way to remember the famous coin.

Films Chief Big Tree Appeared In

Chief John Big Tree acted in many movies during his career. Here are some of the films he was in:

  • The Spirit of '76 (1917) as Gowah
  • A Fight for Love (1919) as Swift Deer
  • The Avenging Arrow (1921) as Madoo
  • The Primitive Lover (1922) as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
  • The Huntress (1923) as Otebaya
  • The Iron Horse (1924) as Cheyenne Chief
  • The Red Rider (1925) as Indian Chief
  • Ranson's Folly (1926) as Chief Standing Bear
  • The Frontier Trail (1926) as Chief Gray Wolf
  • Mantrap (1926) as Indian
  • The Desert's Toll (1926) as Red Eagle
  • The Outlaw Breaker (1926) as Indian
  • Winners of the Wilderness (1927) as Chief Pontiac
  • The Frontiersman (1927) as Grey Eagle
  • Painted Ponies (1927)
  • Spoilers of the West (1927) as Chief Red Cloud
  • Wyoming (1928) as An Indian
  • The Overland Telegraph (1929) as Medicine Man
  • Sioux Blood (1929) as Crazy Wolf
  • The Big Trail (1930) as Indian
  • Red Fork Range (1931) as Chief Barking Fox
  • Fighting Caravans (1931) as Indian Chief in Opening Credits
  • The Last of the Mohicans (1932) as Huron Warrior
  • The Golden West (1932) as Indian
  • The Telegraph Trail (1933) as Indian Chief
  • King of the Arena (1933) as Circus Indian
  • Massacre (1934) as Indian Judge
  • Wheels of Destiny (1934) as Chief War Eagle
  • The Cat's-Paw (1934) as Chinese Guards
  • Wake Up and Dream (1934) as 1st Indian
  • The Miracle Rider (1935) as Old Indian
  • The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) as Indian
  • The Singing Vagabond (1935) as Chief White Eagle
  • Custer's Last Stand (1936) as Medicine Man
  • The Adventures of Frank Merriwell (1936) as Indian John
  • Daniel Boone (1936) as Wyandotte Warrior
  • The Bold Caballero (1936) as Tavern Indian
  • Maid of Salem (1937) as Indian
  • Lost Horizon (1937) as Porter
  • Hills of Old Wyoming (1937) as Chief Big Tree
  • The Painted Stallion (1937) as Commanche Chief
  • Prairie Thunder (1937) as Indian
  • The Girl of the Golden West (1938) as Indian Chief in Prologue
  • Flaming Frontiers (1938) as Arapaho Chief
  • Hawk of the Wilderness (1938) as Medicine Man
  • Stagecoach (1939) as Apache Scout
  • Susannah of the Mounties (1939) as Chief
  • The Oregon Trail (1939) as Spotted Elk
  • Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) as Blue Back
  • Destry Rides Again (1939) as Indian in Saloon
  • Heroes of the Saddle (1940) as Rodeo Indian
  • Pioneers of the West (1940) as Indian Chief
  • Brigham Young (1940) as Big Elk
  • Too Many Girls (1940) as Chief
  • North West Mounted Police (1940) as Blue Owl
  • Hudson's Bay (1941) as Chief
  • Western Union (1941) as Chief Spotted Horse
  • Las Vegas Nights (1941) as Indian
  • Unconquered (1947) as Indian
  • She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) as Chief Pony That Walks
  • Devil's Doorway (1950) as Thundercloud

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jefe John Big Tree para niños

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