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Born: May 26, 1912 – Died: March 5, 1980.
Jay Silverheels, best known for his role as Tonto in the iconic TV series "The Lone Ranger," was born on May 26, 1912, on Canada's Six Nation's Reserve. Growing up as one of ten children, Silverheels stood out as a star lacrosse player and a skilled boxer before venturing into the world of film. Initially working a stuntman in 1938, he gradually made his mark on the silver screen with notable appearances in films such as "Key Largo" alongside Humphrey Bogart. Although often cast in bit parts as an Indian character, it was his portrayal of Tonto that brought him immense fame and recognition. Beyond his on-screen career, Silverheels also dedicated himself to improving the representation of Native Americans in the media.
Early Life and Career
Jay Silverheels' childhood and upbringing revolved around Canada's Six Nation's Reserve, where he was born as one of ten children.
Silverheels began his career in the film industry as a stuntman in 1938. He gradually transitioned to acting and gained recognition for his performances in films such as "Key Largo" (1948) alongside Humphrey Bogart.
However, it was Silverheels' role as Tonto in the TV series "The Lone Ranger" that catapulted him to stardom. The show, which aired from 1949 to 1957, solidified his place in Hollywood and made him a recognizable figure worldwide.
Although Silverheels was typecast as Tonto in many subsequent projects, he continued to work in both film and television. He also became an outspoken advocate for improving the portrayal of Native Americans in the media. In terms of awards, Silverheels won three throughout his career.
Jay Silverheels left a lasting impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry as one of the first Native American actors to achieve widespread recognition and success. His portrayal of Tonto challenged stereotypes and helped pave the way for greater representation of Native American characters in future productions. He is considered a trailblazer and an important figure in the history of American cinema.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | A Different Drum (Short) | Jim Swift Hands |
| 1974 | Dusty's Trail (TV Series) | Indian Chief |
| 1973 | Cannon (TV Series) | Jimmy One Eye |
| 1973 | Santee | John Crow |
| 1973 | The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing | The Chief |
| 1973 | One Little Indian | Jimmy Wolf |
| 1972 | In Pursuit of Treasure | Unknown |
| 1972 | Love, American Style (TV Series) | (segment "Love and the Test of Manhood") |
| 1971 | Cade's County (TV Series) | Chief Wild Horse |
| 1971 | The Brady Bunch (TV Series) | Chief Eagle Cloud |
| 1971 | Cat Ballou (TV Movie) | Indian Chief |
| 1971 | The Psychiatrist (TV Series) | Larrabee - Medicine Man |
| 1968–1971 | The Virginian (TV Series) | Spotted Hand | Den'Gwatzi |
| 1970 | The Phynx | Tonto |
| 1969 | True Grit | Condemned Man at Hanging (uncredited) |
| 1969 | Smith! | McDonald Lasheway |
| 1967 | Gentle Ben (TV Series) | Willie Sam Gopher |
| 1966–1967 | Pistols 'n' Petticoats (TV Series) | Great Bear |
| 1966 | The Rounders (TV Series) | John Tallgrass |
| 1964–1965 | Daniel Boone (TV Series) | Sashona | Latawa | Chenrogan |
| 1965 | Indian Paint | Chief Hevatanu |
| 1965 | Branded (TV Series) | Wild Horse |
| 1962 | Laramie (TV Series) | Toma |
| 1961 | Rawhide (TV Series) | Pawnee Joe |
| 1961 | Frontier Circus (TV Series) | Chief Red Cloud |
| 1961 | Gunslinger (TV Series) | Hopi Indian |
| 1961 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | The Serpent |
| 1960 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Natchez |
| 1960 | Rescue 8 (TV Series) | Charlie |
| 1959 | Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV Series) | Charley Red Cloud |
| 1959 | Alias Jesse James | Tonto (uncredited) |
| 1958 | The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold | Tonto |
| 1958 | Return to Warbow | Indian Joe |
| 1949–1957 | The Lone Ranger (TV Series) | Tonto |
| 1956 | Walk the Proud Land | Geronimo |
| 1956 | The Lone Ranger | Tonto |
| 1955 | The Vanishing American | Beeteia |
| 1955 | The Lone Ranger Story | Tonto |
| 1954 | Masterson of Kansas | Chief Yellow Hawk |
| 1954 | Four Guns to the Border | Yaqui |
| 1954 | The Black Dakotas | Black Buffalo |
| 1954 | Drums Across the River | Taos |
| 1954 | Saskatchewan | Cajou |
| 1953 | War Arrow | Satanta |
| 1953 | The Nebraskan | Spotted Bear |
| 1953 | Jack McCall, Desperado | Red Cloud |
| 1953 | Last of the Comanches | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1952 | The Pathfinder | Chingachgook |
| 1952 | Yankee Buccaneer | Lead Warrior |
| 1952 | The Story of Will Rogers | Joe Arrow (uncredited) |
| 1952 | Brave Warrior | Tecumseh |
| 1952 | The Half-Breed | Apache (uncredited) |
| 1952 | The Battle at Apache Pass | Geronimo |
| 1951 | The Wild Blue Yonder | Benders |
| 1951 | Red Mountain | Little Crow (uncredited) |
| 1950 | Broken Arrow | Geronimo (uncredited) |
| 1949 | The Cowboy and the Indians | Lakoma |
| 1949 | Sand | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Trail of the Yukon | Poleon |
| 1949 | Lust for Gold | Deputy Walter (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Laramie | Running Wolf (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Tulsa | Creek Indian (uncredited) |
| 1949 | Song of India | Villager (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Yellow Sky | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1948 | The Feathered Serpent | Diego (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Family Honeymoon | Elevator Boy (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Singin' Spurs | Abel |
| 1948 | Key Largo | Tom Osceola (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Fury at Furnace Creek | Little Dog (uncredited) |
| 1948 | The Treasure of the Sierra Madre | Indian Guide at Pier (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Captain from Castile | Coatl (uncredited) |
| 1947 | The Prairie | Running Deer |
| 1947 | The Last Round-up | Sam Luther (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Unconquered | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Northwest Outpost | Indian Scout (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Gas House Kids Go West | Kingsley's Henchman (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Singin' in the Corn | Indian Brave |
| 1946 | Romance of the West | Young Bear (uncredited) |
| 1945 | Song of the Sarong | Spearman (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Tahiti Nights | Lua (uncredited) |
| 1944 | I Am an American (Short) | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Lost in a Harem | Guard at Execution (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Haunted Harbor | Native [Chs. 11-12] (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Call of the Jungle | Native (uncredited) |
| 1944 | The Tiger Woman | Native at Shack Shoot-Out [Ch. 7] (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Passage to Marseille | Sailor Crewman on Boat Deck (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Raiders of the Border | Indian at Trading Post (uncredited) |
| 1943 | The Phantom | Astari Warrior (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Northern Pursuit | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1943 | The Girl from Monterrey | Fighter Tito Flores (as Harry Smith) |
| 1943 | Daredevils of the West | Kiaga [Ch. 8-9] (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Good Morning, Judge | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Perils of Nyoka | Tuareg (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Valley of the Sun | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1941 | This Woman Is Mine | Indian Marauder (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Jungle Girl | Lion Man Guard [Chs. 2-3, 15] (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Western Union | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Hudson's Bay | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Too Many Girls | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Kit Carson | Indian (uncredited) |
| 1940 | The Sea Hawk | Native Lookout (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Make a Wish | Indian Guide (uncredited) |