(From Old Corral collection)

Above is the buckskin clad Jay Silverheels on two of his 'Scouts' during his days portraying Tonto in the LONE RANGER TV show and movies.

The TV program ran from 1949 - 1957, and Silverheels appeared in the film sequels, THE LONE RANGER (1956) and THE LONE RANGER AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD (1958).

His real name was Harold Jay Smith, and he was Mohawk and born in Canada in 1912 (some sources mention 1919). In his early years, he became an accomplished athlete and his specialty was lacrosse.

In the 1960s, Silverheels was one of the founders of the Indian Actors Workshop in Los Angeles.

He passed away in 1980 from a stroke.

Silverheels did THE COWBOY AND THE INDIANS and THE LAST ROUNDUP with Gene Autry, CYCLONE FURY and LARAMIE with Charles Starrett, SINGIN' SPURS with the Hoosier Hotshots and Kirby Grant, and TRAIL OF THE YUKON with Grant as part of the Mountie series.  Most of his other westerns were with George Montgomery, Jon Hall, etc., and while not part of a series, were barely above the B designation. And he was in four serials at Republic when he was still going by Harry Smith ... before he changed his name to Silverheels Smith ... and before he switched to Jay Silverheels. One of his better roles was portraying Geronimo in the Audie Murphy WALK THE PROUD LAND (Universal-International, 1956).

You may want to go to the In Search Of ... page on the Old Corral, and then to the California Death Index.  There you will find a record for: Jay Silverheels, born 5/26/1912 in Canada, and he passed away on 3/5/1980.  There is a corresponding record in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).

(Courtesy of Minard Coons)