Chief John Big Tree
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.
U.S. Indian Head nickel, for which Big Tree claimed he was one of three models used – although the sculptor said that another Chief Big Tree, Adoeette, from the Kiowa tribe was one of his models [1]
Chief John Big Tree | |
|---|---|
 Big Tree in Fighting Caravans (1931) | |
| Born | Isaac Johnny John June 2, 1877 Buffalo, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 1967 (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1915–1950 |
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, December 11, 1961. Rebroadcast on Game Show Network and viewed January 29, 2008.
- 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.
External links
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