Jay Silverheels was born on Canada's Six Nation's Reserve and was one of 10 children. He was a star lacrosse player and a boxer before he entered films as a stuntman in 1938. He worked in a number of films through the 1940s before gaining notice as the Osceola brother in a 'Humphrey Bogart' . After the TV series ended in 1957, Silverheels could not escape the typecasting of Tonto. He would continue to appear in an occasional film and television show but became a spokesperson to improve the portrayal of Indians in the media.
On "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" , Silverheels told Johnny Carson that he had married his Italian wife to "get back at Christopher Columbus". They called their children "Indalions".
U.S. government records give Silverheels birthdate as 26 June 1912, though virtually all cinema reference works disagree, giving instead the 1919 date listed here.
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1993.
Was an avid horse-racer when not acting. When asked if he ever thought about running Silver or Scout (who portrayed the steeds of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, respectively) in a race, Silverheels laughed: "Heck,
I
Can beat Scout."
Father of Jay Silverheels Jr.
Was a full-blooded Mohawk Indian, one of 11 children of A.G.E. Smith, who had served as a decorated officer in the Canadian forces in WWI.
Of the nearly 200 TV and film appearances Silverheels made with Clayton Moore , the actors co-starred in just 4 features where they did NOT play Tonto and The Lone Ranger: Perils of Nyoka , The Cowboy and the Indians , Cyclone Fury and The Black Dakotas .
Resided in Canoga Park, CA, and used to take walks around his neighborhood. Daughter attended and graduated from Canoga Park High School.
Adopted the nickname Silverheels" during a very brief boxing career, which saw him compete as a middleweight in a Golden Gloves bout in New York Citys Madison Square Garden.
Was said to have "despised" his show-business portrayal of an Indian.
Reportedly beat out 35 other actors to win the Tonto role in the initial radio version of "The Lone Ranger", which he had been invited to audition for based on his appearance in Key Largo .
While filming "The Lone Ranger" in 1955, he suffered a heart attack. He didnt appear on the show for eight weeks while he recuperated. Stuntman Chuck Courtney , as the Lone Rangers nephew Dan Reid, replaced him until he was well enough to return;.
Suffered a stroke in 1976.
