Jay Silverheels - Cast

Register to mark this movie seen or favorite and personalize your experience

Register Log in
Overview Cast Crew
Jay Silverheels

Jay Silverheels

Jay Silverheels was born on a reservation in Canada to a Mohawk chief. 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 though the 1940s before he gained some notice as the Osceola brother in Humphrey Bogart's film Key Largo (1948). Most of his roles consisted of bit parts as "Indian." In 1949, he would work in a movie called The Cowboy and the Indians (1949) with another "B movie" actor named Clayton Moore. It was later that same year that Jay would be hired to play the faithful Indian companion, Tonto, in the television series "The Lone Ranger" (1949). This role, while still playing the "Indian," would bring Jay the fame that his motion picture career never did. As Tonto, on his horse Scout, Jay could show up where the Ranger could not and some of the time he would be shot at or beat up for his trouble. Jay would play Tonto in all the episodes except for those that he missed when he had his heart attack. In those episodes, he was replaced by the Ranger's nephew, Dan. However, Clayton Moore would miss the third season when he was replaced by John Hart. Jay would reprise the role of Tonto in two big-screen color movies with Moore, The Lone Ranger (1956) and The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958). After the series ended in 1957, Jay could not escape the typecasting of Tonto. He would continue to appear in an occasional film and television show, but he would become a spokesman to improve the portrayal of Indians on TV.

Casted
  • The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

    The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

    Played Indian Guide at Pier (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    8.0
    1279 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 15, 1948
    79 years ago
  • True Grit

    True Grit

    Played Condemned Man at Hanging (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.3
    824 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 11, 1969
    57 years ago
  • Key Largo

    Key Largo

    Played Tom Osceola (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.4
    561 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 16, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Broken Arrow

    Broken Arrow

    Played Geronimo (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.7
    213 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 21, 1950
    76 years ago
  • The Sea Hawk

    The Sea Hawk

    Played Native Lookout

    Average Rating
    7.2
    144 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 10, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Yellow Sky

    Yellow Sky

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.9
    119 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 24, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Western Union

    Western Union

    Played Indian

    Average Rating
    6.0
    77 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 21, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Captain from Castile

    Captain from Castile

    Played Coatl (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.2
    30 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 25, 1947
    79 years ago
  • Lust for Gold

    Lust for Gold

    Played Walter

    Average Rating
    5.9
    29 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 10, 1949
    77 years ago
  • The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing

    The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing

    Played The Chief

    Average Rating
    5.7
    27 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 28, 1973
    53 years ago
  • Alias Jesse James

    Alias Jesse James

    Played Tonto (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    26 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 20, 1959
    68 years ago
  • The Lone Ranger

    The Lone Ranger

    Played Tonto

    Average Rating
    6.1
    25 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 25, 1956
    71 years ago
  • One Little Indian

    One Little Indian

    Played Jimmy Wolf

    Average Rating
    6.3
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 20, 1973
    53 years ago
  • Tulsa

    Tulsa

    Played Creek Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 13, 1949
    78 years ago
  • Drums Across the River

    Drums Across the River

    Played Taos

    Average Rating
    5.6
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 01, 1954
    72 years ago
  • Saskatchewan

    Saskatchewan

    Played Cajou

    Average Rating
    5.9
    22 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 30, 1954
    73 years ago
  • War Arrow

    War Arrow

    Played Satanta

    Average Rating
    5.6
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 26, 1953
    73 years ago
  • Last of the Comanches

    Last of the Comanches

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    20 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 01, 1953
    74 years ago
  • Northern Pursuit

    Northern Pursuit

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.9
    19 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 07, 1943
    83 years ago
  • Red Mountain

    Red Mountain

    Played Little Crow

    Average Rating
    6.4
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 01, 1951
    75 years ago
  • Return to Warbow

    Return to Warbow

    Played Indian Joe

    Average Rating
    5.8
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 15, 1958
    69 years ago
  • The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold

    The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold

    Played Tonto

    Average Rating
    6.5
    17 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 04, 1958
    68 years ago
  • The Battle at Apache Pass

    The Battle at Apache Pass

    Played Geronimo

    Average Rating
    6.4
    17 votes
    Release Date
    May 09, 1952
    74 years ago
  • Four Guns to the Border

    Four Guns to the Border

    Played Yaqui

    Average Rating
    4.9
    16 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 05, 1954
    72 years ago
  • Lost in a Harem

    Lost in a Harem

    Played Guard at Execution (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.4
    15 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 08, 1944
    82 years ago
  • The Movie Orgy

    The Movie Orgy

    Played Tonto (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    14 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1968
    59 years ago
  • Fury at Furnace Creek

    Fury at Furnace Creek

    Played Little Dog (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    13 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 30, 1948
    79 years ago
  • Walk the Proud Land

    Walk the Proud Land

    Played Geronimo

    Average Rating
    6.1
    13 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 01, 1956
    70 years ago
  • The Feathered Serpent

    The Feathered Serpent

    Played Diego (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 19, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Too Many Girls

    Too Many Girls

    Played Indian

    Average Rating
    5.6
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 08, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Smith!

    Smith!

    Played McDonald Lasheway

    Average Rating
    5.5
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 21, 1969
    57 years ago
  • Santee

    Santee

    Played John Crow

    Average Rating
    5.4
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 01, 1973
    53 years ago
  • Masterson of Kansas

    Masterson of Kansas

    Played Yellow Hawk

    Average Rating
    5.8
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 01, 1954
    72 years ago
  • Kit Carson

    Kit Carson

    Played Indian

    Average Rating
    6.1
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 30, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Hudson's Bay

    Hudson's Bay

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 24, 1940
    86 years ago
  • The Phynx

    The Phynx

    Played Tonto

    Average Rating
    3.2
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 06, 1970
    56 years ago
  • The Phantom

    The Phantom

    Played Astari Warrior (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.2
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 24, 1943
    83 years ago
  • The Black Dakotas

    The Black Dakotas

    Played Black Buffalo

    Average Rating
    5.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 02, 1954
    72 years ago
  • Jack McCall, Desperado

    Jack McCall, Desperado

    Played Red Cloud

    Average Rating
    5.7
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 01, 1953
    74 years ago
  • This Woman Is Mine

    This Woman Is Mine

    Played Indian Marauder

    Average Rating
    4.0
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 22, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Yankee Buccaneer

    Yankee Buccaneer

    Played Lead Warrior

    Average Rating
    5.8
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 16, 1952
    74 years ago
  • Indian Paint

    Indian Paint

    Played Chief Hevatanu

    Average Rating
    5.3
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 08, 1965
    61 years ago
  • The Legend Of The Lone Ranger

    The Legend Of The Lone Ranger

    Played Tonto

    Average Rating
    6.2
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1952
    75 years ago
  • Brave Warrior

    Brave Warrior

    Played Chief Tecumseh

    Average Rating
    3.6
    5 votes
    Release Date
    May 31, 1952
    74 years ago
  • The Cowboy and the Indians

    The Cowboy and the Indians

    Played Lakohna

    Average Rating
    6.8
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 15, 1949
    77 years ago
  • Sand

    Sand

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    4.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 03, 1949
    77 years ago
  • Valley of the Sun

    Valley of the Sun

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 06, 1942
    85 years ago
  • The Nebraskan

    The Nebraskan

    Played Spotted Bear

    Average Rating
    2.7
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 02, 1953
    73 years ago
  • The Pathfinder

    The Pathfinder

    Played Chingachgook

    Average Rating
    4.0
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 09, 1952
    74 years ago
  • Family Honeymoon

    Family Honeymoon

    Played Elevator Boy (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.7
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 06, 1948
    78 years ago

  • I Am an American

    Played Indian (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.3
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 23, 1944
    82 years ago
  • The Vanishing American

    The Vanishing American

    Played Beeteia

    Average Rating
    4.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 17, 1955
    71 years ago
  • Laramie

    Laramie

    Played Running Wolf (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    May 19, 1949
    78 years ago
  • The Half-Breed

    The Half-Breed

    Played Apache (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    May 03, 1952
    75 years ago
  • The Wild Blue Yonder

    The Wild Blue Yonder

    Played Benders

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 05, 1951
    75 years ago
  • Gas House Kids Go West

    Gas House Kids Go West

    Played Kingsley's Henchman (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 12, 1947
    79 years ago
  • Trail of the Yukon

    Trail of the Yukon

    Played Poleon

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 31, 1949
    77 years ago
  • The Prairie

    The Prairie

    Played Running Deer

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 27, 1947
    79 years ago
  • Texas John Slaughter: Geronimo's Revenge

    Texas John Slaughter: Geronimo's Revenge

    Played Natchez

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 04, 1960
    67 years ago
  • Tahiti Nights

    Tahiti Nights

    Played Lua

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 28, 1944
    82 years ago
  • Pistols 'n' Petticoats

    Pistols 'n' Petticoats

    Played Great Bear

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 05, 1967
    59 years ago
  • The Girl from Monterrey

    The Girl from Monterrey

    Played Fighter Tito Flores

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 04, 1943
    83 years ago
  • In Pursuit of Treasure

    In Pursuit of Treasure

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 17, 1972
    54 years ago
  • The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s

    The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 13, 2002
    23 years ago
  • Perils of Nyoka

    Perils of Nyoka

    Played Tuareg

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 27, 1942
    84 years ago
  • Singin' Spurs

    Singin' Spurs

    Played Abel

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 22, 1948
    78 years ago
  • Lone Ranger: Lost Episodes

    Lone Ranger: Lost Episodes

    Played Tonto

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    May 29, 2001
    25 years ago
  • Cat Ballou

    Cat Ballou

    Played Indian Chief

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 06, 1971
    55 years ago
  • The Lone Ranger: Who Was That Masked Man

    The Lone Ranger: Who Was That Masked Man

    Played Tonto

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    May 21, 2013
    13 years ago
  • The Western: A Lost TV Special

    The Western: A Lost TV Special

    Played Self

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 08, 1958
    68 years ago
Close ✕
Join Discord Discord logo
Follow on X X logo

Ask about this person

Your question will be added to the thread you came from.