Chief John Big Tree

American actor (1877–1967)

Chief John Big Tree
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, June 2, 1877 – July 6, 1967) was a member of the Seneca Nation and an actor who appeared in 59 films between 1915 and 1950. He was born in Buffalo, New York and died in Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York. His interment was also there.

Big Tree claimed to be one of three Native American chiefs whose profiles were composited to make the portrait featured on the obverse of the United States' Indian Head nickel, designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. The other two chiefs were Iron Tail and Two Moons. 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.

James Earle Fraser's sculpture, *End of the Trail*, for which Big Tree claimed he was the model.

Big Tree also claimed to be the sole model for Fraser's most recognized work, the doleful End of the Trail.^[2] Both of these claims are broadly disputed, and Fraser identified other models.^[3]^[4]

He also appeared on the March 1964 cover of Esquire magazine, in a pose commemorating the Indian Head nickel.^[5]

Partial filmography

The Spirit of '76 (1917, Lost film) as Gowah
A Fight for Love (1919, Lost film) as Swift Deer
The Avenging Arrow (1921, Lost film) as Madoo
The Primitive Lover (1922) as Chief Johnny Bluebottle
The Huntress (1923) as Otebaya
The Iron Horse (1924) as Cheyenne Chief (uncredited)
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 (uncredited)
The Desert's Toll (1926) as Red Eagle
The Outlaw Breaker (1926) as Indian (uncredited)
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 (uncredited)
Red Fork Range (1931) as Chief Barking Fox
Fighting Caravans (1931) as Indian Chief in Opening Credits (uncredited)
The Last of the Mohicans (1932, Serial) as Huron Warrior (uncredited)
The Golden West (1932) as Indian (uncredited)
The Telegraph Trail (1933) as Indian Chief (uncredited)
King of the Arena (1933) as Circus Indian (uncredited)
Massacre (1934) as Indian Judge (uncredited)
Wheels of Destiny (1934) as Chief War Eagle
The Cat's-Paw (1934) as Chinese Guards (uncredited)
Wake Up and Dream (1934) as 1st Indian (uncredited)
The Miracle Rider (1935, Serial) as Old Indian [Ch. 1] (uncredited)
The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) as Indian (uncredited)
The Singing Vagabond (1935) as Chief White Eagle (uncredited)
Custer's Last Stand (1936, Serial) as Medicine Man [Ch. 9]
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell (1936, Serial) as Indian John (uncredited)
Daniel Boone (1936) as Wyandotte Warrior (uncredited)
The Bold Caballero (1936) as Tavern Indian (uncredited)
Maid of Salem (1937) as Indian (uncredited)
Lost Horizon (1937) as Porter (uncredited)
Hills of Old Wyoming (1937) (with Hopalong Cassidy) as Chief Big Tree
The Painted Stallion (1937, Serial) as Commanche Chief (uncredited)
Prairie Thunder (1937) as Indian (uncredited)
The Girl of the Golden West (1938) as Indian Chief in Prologue (uncredited)
Flaming Frontiers (1938, Serial) as Arapaho Chief [Chs. 12-13] (uncredited)
Hawk of the Wilderness (1938, Serial) as Medicine Man (uncredited)
Stagecoach (1939) as Apache Scout (uncredited)
Susannah of the Mounties (1939) as Chief (uncredited)
The Oregon Trail (1939, Serial) as Spotted Elk (uncredited)
Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) as Blue Back
Destry Rides Again (1939) as Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Heroes of the Saddle (1940) as Rodeo Indian (uncredited)
Pioneers of the West (1940) as Indian Chief (uncredited)
Brigham Young (1940) as Big Elk
Too Many Girls (1940) as Chief (uncredited)
North West Mounted Police (1940) as Blue Owl (uncredited)
Hudson's Bay (1941) as Chief
Western Union (1941) as Chief Spotted Horse
Las Vegas Nights (1941) as Indian (uncredited)
Unconquered (1947) as Indian (uncredited)
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) as Chief Pony That Walks
Devil's Doorway (1950) as Thundercloud

References

^ Robert R. Van Ryzin. "Which Indian Really Modeled?" Numismatic News, February 6, 1990
^ Chief John Big Tree appearance on CBS's I've Got a Secret: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3dITdj2KPw
^ VanRyzin, Robert R. (October 29, 2009). Fascinating Facts, Mysteries and Myths About U.S. Coins. Krause Publications. pp. 10–28. ISBN 978-1440206504.
^ "The History of the Buffalo Nickel - Part I". www.hobbizine.com.
^ "Lifestyle - Mens Health, Career, and Relationship Advice". Esquire.