Introduction to the Biography of an Actor and Athlete Known for His Role as ‘Tonto’ in the TV Series ‘The Lone Ranger’ – Jay Silverheels
Jay Silverheels was an American-Canadian actor and athlete. He is best remembered for the character “Tonto” in the television series
“Lone His Rangers”. Since Silverheels was born into his Native American family, he excelled in portraying “Tonto” who is also native of his American family. Silverheels lived a life of poverty as a child. He mastered track and field, boxing and lacrosse. While attending a lacrosse game, Silverheels met American actor Joe E. brown. He advised his Silverheels to participate in a screen test. This marked the beginning of his career in film and television. He worked as a stunt man and appeared in several films. It was the role of “Tonto” that made him famous. After this series, Silverheels had better roles in several movies such as Cowboys and Indians, Broken Arrow and Brave Warrior. Continued to perform. He appeared as “Tonto” in the movie sequels “The Lone Ranger and the “Lost City of Gold’ He was a strong supporter of his Native American actor. In his final days, Silverheels had a stroke that resulted in his death. Silverheels has a star on his Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was inducted as a performer in the Hall of Great Westerns at the
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
Quick Facts about Jay Silverheels
- Canadian Celebrities Born In May
Also Known As: Harold Jay Smith - Died At Age: 67
- Born Country: Canada
- Actors Athletes
- Height: 6’0′ (183 cm), 6’0′ Males
- Died On: March 5, 1980
- Place Of Death: Calabasas, California, United States
Childhood and Early Life
- Jay Silverheels was born Harold Jay Smith on May 26, 1912 in the Six Nations, Grand River near Ontario, Canada. He was of
Native American Mohawk origin. His father was Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith and his mother Mabel Phoebe
Doctor. His grandfather was a Mohawk chief. Silver Heels was one of his parents” 11 children. - The Silver Heels had a childhood. He turned to athletics andsports to overcome poverty. He was an accomplished lacrosse
player and boxer. Silverheels has participated in several boxing “Golden Gloves”.
Career
- Jay Silverheels was discovered by actor Joe E. Brown while playing lacrosse in Los Angeles in 1937. Impressed by his athletic physique, Brown asked him to participate in a screen test. Thats how he got into showbiz. Silverheels began his career as a stuntman and extra. In his early career, he was known by the names, Harold Smith, or Harry Smith.
- In the 1940s, Silverheels appeared in small roles in several movies such as The Sea Hawk,” This Woman Is Mine”, and “Perils of Nyoka”. In 1943, he performed as “Astari warrior”, in the series. “The Phantom” In 1948, Silverheels performed as “John Osceola”, in the crime movie, “Key Largo”. Humphre Bogart played the lead role in the movie. In the same year, he made small appearances in movies such as “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”, “Fury at Furnace Creek”, and “Family Honeymoon’.
- In 1949, Jay Silverheels bagged the most prominent role of his career. He was chosen for the American western drama series, ‘The Lone Ranger’. Clayton Moore played the lead character, Lone Ranger. Silverheels portrayed ‘Tonto’ who was the Indian companion of the ‘Lone Ranger’. It was one of the most popular series aired on the ‘ABC’ network, and had a) successful run for 5 seasons. The series was the story of a lone survivor of a massacre. He travels with a trusted companion to help those at the mercy.
- Following the success of The Lone Ranger, Jay Silverheels was offered a similar role. He was often typecast as a Native American. In 1949; he played ‘Lacona’ in the film Cowboys and Indians. In 1960, he appeared as a Native American in the episode ‘Leap of Life’ of the series Rescue 8”
- Silverheels has also played ‘Tonto in several movies. In 1952, he appeared in the movie The Legend of the Lone Ranger. In1956, Silverheels played Tonto in the film The Lone Ranger. In 1958, he reprised the same character in the film ‘The Lone Ranger’ and the ‘Lost City of Gold’. Silverheels were also featured in aka Jesse James and The Phynx. His name had become synonymous with the character.
- ‘Geronimo’ was another Native American character portrayed by Silverheels. He appeared as ‘Geronimo’ in several films such
as ‘Broken Arrow’ ‘Battle of Apache Pass’ and ‘Walk the Proud Land’. In 1964 and his 1965, Silverheels appeared in several episodes of the American action-adventure series, ‘Daniel Boone.’ - In 1969, Jay Silverheels participated in The Tonight Show, a comedy sketch show starring Johnny Carson. Silverheels never
hesitated to make fun of his character. He was an avid supporter of the Indian Actors Workshop, where Indian actors learned to hone their acting skills.
Family, Personal Life and Legacy
- Jay Silverheels has been married twice. He married Bobby first. The couple has one child. They divorced in 1943. In 1946 Silverheels married Mary Di Roma. they have four children.
- In 1976, Silverheels had a stroke. On March 5, 1980, he suffered a stroke. He was cremated in the ‘Chapel of the Pine
Crematorium’ and his ashes were taken to Six His Nations on his reservation. - In 1993, Jay Silverheels was inducted into the Great Western Hall of Fame at the National His Cowboy and Western Heritage
Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.