Who was Jay Silverheels? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Canadian Celebrities Born In May

Also Known As: Harold Jay Smith

Died At Age: 67

Born Country: Canada

Actors Canadian Men

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Died on: March 5, 1980

place of death: Calabasas, California, United States

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1

Where was Jay Silverheels born?

Jay Silverheels was born in the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Ontario, Canada.
2

What role is Jay Silverheels best known for?

Jay Silverheels is best known for his role as Tonto in the television series "The Lone Ranger".
3

What was Jay Silverheels' profession before becoming an actor?

Before becoming an actor, Jay Silverheels was a professional lacrosse player.
4

In which movies did Jay Silverheels portray Tonto alongside Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger?

Jay Silverheels portrayed Tonto in the movies "The Lone Ranger" (1956) and "The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold" (1958).
5

What impact did Jay Silverheels have on Native American representation in Hollywood?

Jay Silverheels helped break stereotypes and pave the way for more positive portrayals of Native Americans in Hollywood.

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Childhood & Early Life

Jay Silverheels was born Harold Jay Smith, on May 26, 1912, in Six Nations of the Grand River, near Ontario, Canada. He hailed from the indigenous American tribe, Mohawk. Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith was his father, and Mabel Phoebe Doxtater was his mother. His grandfather was a Mohawk chief. Silverheels was one of the eleven children of his parents.

Silverheels had a difficult childhood. He took to athletics and sports to overcome poverty. He was a skilled lacrosse player and a boxer, too. Silverheels participated in several ‘Golden Gloves’ competitions in boxing.

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Career

In 1937, while Jay Silverheels was playing lacrosse in Los Angeles, he was spotted by actor Joe E. Brown. Impressed by his athletic body, Brown asked him to appear for a screen test. This is how he entered the showbiz. Silverheels started 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 an ‘Astari warrior,’ in the series, ‘The Phantom.’ In 1948, Silverheels performed as ‘John Osceola,’ in the crime movie, ‘Key Largo.’ Humphrey 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 traveled with his trusted companion, to assist those who are at the mercy of goons.

After the success of ‘The Lone Ranger,’ Jay Silverheels was offered similar roles. He was often typecast as a Native American. In 1949, he portrayed ‘Lakohna,’ in the movie, ‘The Cowboy and the Indians.’ In 1960, he performed as a Native American, in the episode, ‘Leap of Life,’ of the series, ‘Rescue 8.’

Silverheels portrayed ‘Tonto’ in several movies also. In 1952, he performed in the movie, ‘The Legend of the Lone Ranger.’ In 1956, Silverheels performed as ‘Tonto,’ in the movie, ‘The Lone Ranger.’ In 1958, he reprised the same character in the movie, ‘The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold.’ Silverheels was seen in ‘Alias Jesse James,’ and ‘The Phynx’ too. His name had become synonymous with the character.

‘Geronimo’ was another Native Indian character portrayed by Silverheels. He performed as ‘Geronimo’ in several movies such as ‘Broken Arrow,’ ‘The Battle at Apache Pass,’ and ‘Walk the Proud Land.’ In 1964 and 1965, Silverheels performed in a few episodes of the American action-adventure series, ‘Daniel Boone.’

In 1969, Jay Silverheels participated in the comedy sketch show, ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.’ In the show, he appeared as ‘Tonto,’ without the ‘Lone Ranger.’ Silverheels never shied away from making fun of his own character. He was a staunch supporter of the ‘Indian Actors Workshop,’ where the Indian actors learned to refine their acting skills.

Family, Personal Life & Legacy

Jay Silverheels was married twice. He was first married to Bobbie. The couple has a child. They divorced in 1943. In 1946, Silverheels married Mary Diroma. They have four children.

In 1976, Silverheels suffered a stroke. On March 5, 1980, he succumbed to the complications arising out of the stroke. He was cremated at the ‘Chapel of the Pines Crematory,’ and the ashes were taken to the Six Nations Reserve.

In 1993, Jay Silverheels was inducted into the ‘Hall of Great Western Performers,’ at the ‘National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum,’ at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was also honored with a star on the ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame.’

Facts About Jay Silverheels

Jay Silverheels, best known for his role as Tonto in "The Lone Ranger," was a skilled lacrosse player and was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in

Silverheels was a talented painter and some of his artwork was displayed in galleries during his lifetime.

In addition to acting, Silverheels also worked as a stuntman in Hollywood, performing his own stunts in many of his films.

Silverheels was a proud member of the Mohawk Nation, and he used his platform as an actor to advocate for Native American rights and representation in the entertainment industry.

He was known for his generosity and kindness, often using his fame to support charitable causes and organizations that benefited Native American communities.

Jay Silverheels Biography

You wanted to know

Where was Jay Silverheels born?

What role is Jay Silverheels best known for?

What was Jay Silverheels' profession before becoming an actor?

In which movies did Jay Silverheels portray Tonto alongside Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger?

What impact did Jay Silverheels have on Native American representation in Hollywood?