Thunderbird was born on August 6, 1866, near Tongue River, Montana Territory, and attended the Carlisle Indian School.

Laughing Boy's family, of Navajo descent, disapprove of their son's decision to marry a white man's mistress.

In this movie, Rex Lease's character, Andy Thomas, is in charge of finding out who is harassing the wagon trains.

The two main characters travel to the west to open up a new dentist practice and find themselves saving the day against the hostile Indians.

Like most westerns of the time, Thunderbird played a villain, plotting alongside the Secret Seven to take over the Munro Ranch.

Thunderbird acted in twenty films but was never cast in a lead or supporting role, although Native American performers such as Chief Yowlachie, Will Rogers, and Ray Mala did portray prominent screen characters.