Most Recent Role: Himself on The Mike Douglas Show
Alias Name(s): Silverheels Smith, Harry Smith
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Six Nations Reservation, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Birthday: 5-26-1912
Birth Name: Harold J. Smith Silverheels
Date of Death: 3-5-1980
Cause of Death: Died of a stroke in Woodland Hills California
Alias Name(s): Silverheels Smith, Harry Smith
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Six Nations Reservation, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Birthday: 5-26-1912
Birth Name: Harold J. Smith Silverheels
Date of Death: 3-5-1980
Cause of Death: Died of a stroke in Woodland Hills California
JAY was the son of a Mohawk Chief. He excelled in sports such as lacrosse and amateur boxing. He then entered HOLLYWOOD in 1938 as a stunt man. He usually played "Indian" parts, but became famous when he co-starred with actor CLAYTON MOORE as TONTO, THE LONE RANGER'S faithful Indian companion in both Movies and TV. In the 70's he became a harness racing driver and bred horses. When asked if any...
Most Recent Appearance
May 30, 1974
Thursday 30 May 1974 on Syndicated
Jonathan Winters co-hosts from Las Vegas; guests include Pat Boone, Connie Stevens, comedian Louis Nye and Jay Silverheels. Also a dog act.
Jay's first major speaking role was as Seminole local John Oscelo in Key Largo (1948), with co-stars Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Edward G. Robinson.
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The Screen Actors' Guild has Jay's birthday erroneously listed as May 26, 1919, when both family and US Government records show he was indeed born on May 26, 1912.
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Jay took his stage name of Silverheels from his track days as a youth, when, wearing white shoes, he ran so fast his feet appeared to be streaks of white. Since he thought it would be awkward for a Native American to have the name of Whiteheels, he chose Silver instead.
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Jay taught fellow Native American actor Michael Horse, who went on to play Tonto in the poorly received Legend Of The Lone Ranger (1981).
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When Jay had a heart attack in 1955, the writers of the "Lone Ranger" wrote in the part of Dan Reid, the Ranger's nephew, to fill in as partner to the Ranger until Jay recuperated. It was explained in the story that Tonto was off to Washington meeting with the "Great White Father" concerning Native American affairs.
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Other Appearances
| Star |
|---|
|
The Lone Ranger
Tonto |
| Guest Star | |
|---|---|
|
Branded
The Test Wild Horse |
Cade's County
Gray Wolf |
|
Cannon
Valley of the Damned Jimmy One Eye |
Daniel Boone
The Christmas Story Sashona |
|
Daniel Boone
Mountain of the Dead Chenrogen |
Daniel Boone
The Quietists Latawa |
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Stars In
The Lone Ranger"A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty "Hi Yo Silver!" The Lone Ranger. "Hi Yo Silver, away!" With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful... more
