Chief John Big Tree
James Earle Fraser's sculptor, "End of the Trail," for which Big Tree was the model.
Born	2 June 1877 Michigan  United States
Died	6 July 1967 Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York  United States
Other name(s)	Big Tree Chief Big Tree John Big Tree
Years active	1915-1950

Chief John Big Tree (2 June 1877 – 6 July 1967) (birthname: Isaac Johnny John) was a member of the Seneca Nation and an actor who appeared in 59 films between 1915 and 1950.

Big Tree claimed to be one of three Native American Chiefs whose profiles were composited to make the portrait featured on the the obverse of the United State's 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. Big Tree also claimed to be the sole model for Fraser's most recognized work, the doleful "End of the Trail."^[1] Both of these claims are broadly disputed, and Fraser identified other models^[2][3].

He also appeared on the March 1964 cover of Esquire magazine, in a pose commemorating the Indian Head nickel.^[4]

He was born in Michigan and died in Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York.

U.S. Indian Head nickel, for which Big Tree was one of three models used.

Selected filmography

• She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
• Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
• Stagecoach (1939)
• The Frontier Trail (1926)
• The Iron Horse (1924)
• The Avenging Arrow (1921)
• A Fight for Love (1919)

References

External links

• Chief John Big Tree at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
NAME	Tree, Chief John Big
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Actor
DATE OF BIRTH	2 June 1877
PLACE OF BIRTH	Michigan  United States
DATE OF DEATH	6 July 1967
PLACE OF DEATH	Onondaga Indian Reservation, New York  United States

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