Kemosabe: Tonto (Jay Silverheels) - Tonight Show 1969

[@johnphillips1858]

I love his voice and the way he carried this role with such dignity and loyalty. One of my childhood heros.

[@sunriseboy4837]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Dignity is something true Native Americans do with not the slightest effort. Awesome.

[@lawrencenoctor2703]

He did have an impressive voice with excelent diction, I noticed as a child he was better spoken than the rest of the cast and also had a quiet dignity that made him stand out. One of my childhood heros. God bless him.

[@HasturYellowSign]

Always loved him as a kid.

[@lawrencenoctor2703]

Did you know he was the world champion quick draw at pistol shooting,I think he was a professional ice hockey player as well, he was an quite an athlete.

[@denniscain5738]

Not sure about hockey but a champion harness racer in Canada

[@beagleman123456789]

@@denniscain5738 Yes

[@lylestavast7652]

@@lawrencenoctor2703 played am indoor league of lacrosse...

[@jayonnaj18]

I loved the Lone Ranger but I loved and ADORED Tonto!!!❤He was so handsome!!!

[@christinemason2938]

And how!

[@1950Grendel]

I watched the Lone Ranger as a kid, but my dad always watched for Tonto.

[@cecegiles7753]

Over 99% of them are beautiful as phuck

[@LindaOliver-e8q]

My sentiments exactly.

[@paulgentile1024]

​@@LindaOliver-e8qa great team

[@vince1638]

What a good natured man, so rare in Hollywood (or anywhere) these days.

[@TheMischief9]

Jay was a handsome , very intelligent man .... with a good sense of humor .

[@snowfrosty1]

Creepy moments though towards pubescent girls tho.

[@bongodave13]

@@snowfrosty1 Huh?

[@tonto2455]

A great athlete and authentic guy who helped break the barriers down in Hollywood. RIP Jay.

[@edb3877]

In next life, Kemo Sabe serve Tonto!

[@tonto2455]

​@@edb3877Nice One!

[@edb3877]

@@tonto2455 Seems like karmic justice. 🙂

[@jscottupton]

I wish they had given him a standing ovation. He deserved it.

[@lsteiner]

Another great Canuck!

[@gerrydooley951]

It was just a standard comedy routine

[@delcrowe9712]

Harry Smith, aka Jay Silverheels, from Six Nations Iroquois Reservation was the first first Indigenous TV star in America.

[@nastybastardatlive]

So he's an ex- new yorker, just like all the old timers in Hollywood. Go figure.

[@anthonyangeli256]

So he really was an Indian?

[@paulroberts1961]

@@anthonyangeli256 Indians are from India !!! LOL. Seriously we use the Wrong description of Aboriginal, indigenous People, Tribal Nations or Native Americans. Proper Terms People !!! LOL. Calling them Indian's was a Stereotype or just ignorant. No offense to you personally. Sorry to be the Teacher, Corrector !!! LOL 😂🤣

[@gwine9087]

@@paulroberts1961 In Canada, where he is from, we refer to his people as "First Nations".

[@paulroberts1961]

@@gwine9087 yes, I'm very familiar with the Term ,Thank you for Reminding me !!! He was an amazing person !!! Wish all those Stereotypes didn't exist in the first place. I'm in Massachusetts, city . I've never been to any Reservations or areas of indigenous people, Tribal Nations or "First Nations" unfortunately for me. I would Love to if i had the resources to Travel.

[@lsteiner]

Watched the Lone Ranger as a kid. Tonto and the Lone Ranger always seemed as equals to me and I enjoyed the hell out of both of their roles. (I'm an old white guy now). RIP Jay.

[@johnhill7058]

and why is your race relevant?

[@John-fj9oh]

@@johnhill7058that’s how he identifies himself or herself or whatever

[@JimMcIntyre13]

I'm from Northern Ireland and we got our first small black and white TV in the mid-1950's and watched as the engineer set the Bush TV up and tuned the two, seriously only two channels available at that time. Just as he told us he was finished the William Tell Overture started playing and the Lone Ranger and Silver rode onto the screen - I was hooked for life! I loved the Lone Ranger and Tonto? I'm an old white guy now myself! 😉

[@mitchleigh9588]

What color were you when you were a kid..

[@joejones9520]

@@johnhill7058 i know it!

[@faith6857]

Ahhh, Jay Silverheels was an upright, wonderful man. So handsome, too!❤

[@lauragraves4342]

Mr. Cheeckbones for days. ❤

[@althesmith]

My wife personally has a huuuge crush on Wes Studi...

[@shivasirons6159]

Mine has one for wes Bentley.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@Faith. I agree! 🙂

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

He was one of my hero's growing up. On the show you would never know he was really funny. What a voice!

[@jamesdrynan]

Born in Canada, he was an excellent athlete. His sport was lacrosse and he adopted Silverheels from the nickname his team mates gave him.

[@lsteiner]

To quote Mr. Carson: I did NOT.... know that!

[@stan4now]

Native Americans invented lacrosse, aka stickball.

[@briseboy]

Man, he stayed in shape long after his desert southwest days were over.

[@cellawaters7221]

Beautiful People😊

[@williebailey3566]

and now you think it's a joke

[@RickThompson-d8s]

Those of us who grew up with these roll models were very lucky. I miss those times on Saturday morning tv.

[@kh3612]

*role

[@johnathandavis3693]

In my 60's, and watched the old reruns ever day. My mom and grandparents told me how they would listen the old radio show-from the 1930's until TV. You can still find the old radio shows on the Internet -very cool...

[@joeheid2776]

I could listen to Tonto all day. Loved The Lone Ranger!

[@MJo-ng4lj]

Brilliant Bit. ❤😂🎉

[@anthonyangeli256]

Johnny was the best late nite host ever. One of a kind. Never be another like him. RIP Johnny

[@thiabrabson2533]

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ❤️

[@davidn.5803]

Johnny was absolutely LAME.

[@anthonyangeli256]

@@davidn.5803 oh yeah for sure. Fallon & Kimmel are hilarious. So is that Colbert fellow. They're a real riot. But wait, they're not known for being the " King of Late Night, they're the Pimps of Late Night !! LOL

[@joanntaylor5457]

So true!!

[@Joseph-kq9zc]

Dry and boring

[@tcconnection]

So cool to see humor without violence, profanity, perversion, insults to minors

[@Spiritdove64]

well only reason back then is they did not allow it on tv. :D sorry Im sure same thing behind the scenes.

[@winner33660]

I Also Remember him from. Brady Bunch, Grand Canyon Episode, a Played Native American Grandfather Looking for his Grandson, Very Dignified Man, I Hope his Hollywood Career was Enjoyable to him

[@jasemclamb1451]

He was also one of the men being hung in the beginning of the movie true grit

[@antoniodelrey164]

What a great sense of humor! He was a great influence on my respect and feeling for Native Americans.

[@DC9716]

This is fantastic. I watched The Lone Ranger as a kid. Still watch it when I can. Tonto was always my favorite.

[@shadboy]

I'm SO GLAD I found this clip--I was only a small boy when the LONE RANGER aired.

[@alanlopez5971]

Jay Siverheels rocks fighting discrimination all the way! God bless you Jay

[@TheYeti308]

I could listen to this man for ever . !

[@robdewey317]

He had a great voice.

[@stan4now]

"You steal our land and knock my skills." Says it all right there. Rest In Peace Jay

[@wrlord]

He was once asked if Silver could outrun his horse, Scout. He replied, "hell, I can outrun Scout."

[@karendegraaf1146]

Scout kept up with Silver. I've seen several Scouts used on the show.

[@gerrydooley951]

He was asked if Scout could outrun Silver and he said, "Hell, I could outrun Silver"

[@davelewandoski4292]

when we could laugh at others, because we were laughing at ourselves. Nothing mean spirited about any of this.

[@davewanamaker3690]

Jay is pretty cool! He seemed ageless.

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

Kemosabe has precious metal hangup, says Mr. Silverheels.

[@lsteiner]

Bwa Ha Ha!

[@paulgibby6932]

Thanks. I couldn't understand that punch line.

[@ericschiltz412]

Even Kemosabe's co-star had silver in his name!

[@brucegilbert7243]

Yesterday, I went to my bank to get a loan. I asked to speak with the loan arranger and was told that he was in a meeting. So, I asked if I could speak to Tonto. .

[@freesaxon6835]

The days when folks still had a sense of humour

[@delcrowe9712]

His granddaughter, Santee Smith, is Chancellor of Mcmaster University at Hamilton Ontario, near Six Nations Reservation.

[@Foxfire_Pony]

@@delcrowe9712 Is that near Toronto?

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

@@delcrowe9712 For fans of the original DARK SHADOWS, that University is a very special place. The actor who played Barnabas Collins, Jonathan Frid, graduated from there.

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

@@Foxfire_Pony Actually, Hamilton sits roughly 45 miles southwest of Toronto. Much of its eastern border is Lake Ontario itself!

[@zabadazidit]

"Kemosabe have precious metal hang-up." DEADLY!!! ;-)

[@peace-yv4qd]

I grew up watching shows like the Lone Ranger. Fond memories.

[@bpp325]

JS was a handsome, proud, talented man, and a world class lacrosse player, among the best. I'm in awe with his presence, and honor in him in life. RIP.

[@lsteiner]

Thanks for that lacrosse info!

[@randyniemi4963]

What a pleasure! Watched Lone Ranger episodes as a kid when they were new. One of my favorites, And the Lone Ranger and Tonto were a great team. So fun to see him on Johnny Carson right in character with the series!

[@armandocardona4478]

STILL FUNNY and topical even after more than 50 years. Amazing.

[@jefferyhampton1634]

Really liked Jay Silverhells since I was a kid,he was great as Tonto and other parts.

[@michaelericks]

😮

[@Paul-lm5gv]

Great skit! Wish we could have seen the rest of the interview! Jay Silverheels (1912-1980) was an outstanding amateur athlete in his youth. Silverheels was born Harold Jay Smith in Ontario, Canada on the Six Nations of the Grand River reservation. From Wikipedia: While playing in Los Angeles on a touring box lacrosse team in 1937, Silverheels impressed (actor/producer) Joe E. Brown with his athleticism. Brown encouraged him to do a screen test, which led to an acting career with dozens of films to his credit including many westerns. Silverheels achieved his greatest fame as Tonto on 'The Lone Ranger' (1949-1957) TV series. Silverheels appeared in the film sequels: 'The Lone Ranger' (1956) and 'The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold' (1958).

[@sanford943]

My father was in in a medical unit during the war. He was attached to special services after General Mark Clark saw my father and two of his buddies do a lypsinching act to the Andrew Sisters. He helped book shows and was able to meet a lot of celebrities. One of them was Joe E Brown. While I wouldn't say they were close friends after that we did get Christmas cards from him. My father and mother lived in Chicago so when Brown came through Chicago in the play Harvey he invited my parents to the show and supper. In 1961 or 62 he did Harvey in Milwaukee. We were living in Wisconsin by then. I was able to meet him at that time. A very nice man. For you baseball fans his step son Joe L Brown was GM for the the Pirates.

[@lynettepalecek3141]

@Paul. You're wrong. Jay Silverheels was born in 1918- not 1912. I know because I have a DVD set that includes the biography of Jay Silverheels.

[@gerrydooley951]

the rest of the interview isn't available

[@silverestor]

Jay played a small part in the Bogart/Bacall movie, Key Largo in 1948.

[@Bogie0315]

Seen this a number of times and have enjoyed them every time!

[@STORMY0O]

I have always loved the man voice even as a child watching him! 💞

[@cookieseville5133]

Yay tonto, so good to see him on a show

[@BarbaraMcGregor-ew1ev]

Memories of a time gone by ,,,,,Warms the Heart. Innocence about Everything gave security to the Present & the Future. ❤❤❤ A wonderful time experienced with HOPE.........😊

[@franknberry333]

From Brantford Ontario Canada....and yes he was a looker

[@edwardclark9057]

I am from Brantford,Jay was from the reservation near by

[@clrobertson13]

He played a Chief of a tribe on The Brady Bunch when they visited the Grand Canyon. Very respectful, but he was very funny, too, in his interaction with Bobby. 😁

[@zabadazidit]

"Swoosh to the stars!" I remember that episode!

[@josephschmidt4157]

A great actor and human being! Jay you are still missed. R.I.P with the great father.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

Did he know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior for the forgiveness of his sins?

[@zabadazidit]

Back when Hollywood was all class and no trash.

[@EKA201-j7f]

I really liked him as a kid. He was the star to me. Didn't hide behind any mask. Had reserve and class. And that wonderful voice. God bless his heart.

[@gerrydooley951]

he was the star, not the Lone Ranger? You must've been an odd kid

[@22lyric]

The Lone Ranger was "hiding" FROM OUTLAWS. And the man who murdered his brother!

[@run4funorgo4dough]

Once Kemosabe let me look under mask, no big deal. lol

[@augustxiii2580]

Personal director of a large company on d.c. In.

[@pauly1dad]

He was a good man with class that was ( and still is ) one of my personal heroes.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

Then why did Jesus Christ have to die on a cross for our sins if there are good people??? "for no one is righteous, no not one."

[@eduardopotiguara8896]

Amazing Jay Silverheels !!! I LOVE to watch Lone Ranger and Tonto until today..I watched in 1970's on tv here in Brazil.I've got many Lone Ranger's comics ,VHS and DVDs.The GREAT WESTERN HEROS.I'm 55 yrs old and feeling watching and reading THE Lone Ranger's Adventures.It's very good to see JAY SILVERHEELS.

[@eduardopotiguara8896]

I don't say:FEELING ANDTHE CORRECT WORD: KEEPING WATCHING

[@stephintexas29]

My Cherokee dad looked just like Jay Silverheels. 💕

[@cedricliggins7528]

What clan ?

[@sandraloucks5115]

Lucky you!

[@lynnlobliner3933]

I once had an LB of Tonight show gems and this was on it. Love seeing it!

[@fastted8618]

He was a pugilist / prizefighter, before Hollywood. And he was also a Native Canadian.

[@jaythor70]

Also HoF lacrosse player

[@fastted9390]

@@jaythor70 I watch the reruns. He was in a bit better shape than Moore. Bigger chest, shoulders and leg muscle. A shame he left us at 68 y/o. Wish I had the chance to shake his hand and thank him for his great work.

[@blackdogfive]

@@jaythor70 , ( little off-topic) but when my two boys played rep. lacrosse in the 90's the Six Nations of the Grand River reservation teams were just amazing player's, it was magical to watch. I'm sure and hope this is still as strong to this day.

[@steelbat54]

I’m still enjoying watching him and Clayton Moore on Tubi. Still one of my favorite shows from my childhood..

[@gerrydooley951]

He was not in better shape than Moore. Clayton Moore was a trapeze artist when he was in his 20's and was in very good shape. Jay , who was a smoker had a heart attack in 1955 and missed a few shows. Jay was 60 when he died.@@fastted9390

[@tkarlmann]

That was a very funny clip! I would like to see the rest of that interview!

[@friartalk6060]

He was my childhood hero, I missed his voice.

[@charleshooper1465]

growing up in the 1950's I loved the loneranger. Tonto was the BEST sidekick of any of the other cowboy sidekicks

[@Rustebadge]

Jay Silverheels was a great guy. Loved him as "Tonto". Saw him throw out the first pitch at an Atlanta Braves game in the 1970's (before modern racism beset us). He was proud to be an American Indian and not ashamed for others to use the term. Not tribal specific I understand, but neither is saying someone is a "Southern Rebel" "Yankee", etc. Only racist if you think like a racist. Enjoyed this clip very much. Miss Tonto.

[@georgemeara2562]

Very well said i think i like you

[@petratical]

I thank the many Native Nation's Tribes for allowing us in their land!

[@MicheleHuffman-d8c]

He had such a strong voice and was very handsome. Great actor too!

[@deerhoda7574]

Tonto was always my hero. If it wasn't for Tonto there never would have been a Kemosabe. I knew that as a kid. 😉

[@davidvalensi8616]

It's good to see he had a sense of humor about himself and the show. You always had a suspicion that kemosabe didn't mean anything good, and that "looking under the lone rangers mask" in lieu of pay, hilarious.

[@ScriptureUnbroken]

It means Chemical soap

[@zabadazidit]

@@ScriptureUnbroken According to the pilot episode of "The Lone Ranger" - and borne out in future episodes - it means "Brave Scout."

[@ScriptureUnbroken]

@@zabadazidit It means many things in different languages, which is the great pun of it. In Danish it's Kemisk sæbe = chemical soap. The native man (Tonto) who uses natural soaps, is mocking the civilised man. That's just one of the many jokes/meanings. 🙏🏼

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

"No big deal."

[@steamboat75043]

I could be wrong, but I noted in many films Apaches spoke using Spanish words or in a Spanish dialect I could make out. Tonto in Spanish is fool or stupid. Kemosabe from listening to the dialect I have guessed was 'Quien no sabe' - 'one who doesn't know'. Perhaps an inside joke. If you took it a step further The Lone Ranger depended on Tonto's skills, and if you didn't have those skills, you don't know (what he learned early on). If the actual pronunciation was Kem-no-sabe as one work Kemnosabe which would be hard to pick out, or the N going silent in idiomic use then it makes even more sense. If someone is fluent in Apache and would validate that I would appreciate it. There are various contractions commonly used in Spanish. You often hear someone say 'mija' mee-ha when they call their daughter or refer to her. Mi Hija - My Daughter - Mija. And I could be overthinking it.

[@merlemorrison482]

they sure were having trouble keeping a straight face - and so was I....... :)

[@SpiritintheSky.]

What a surprise to find this and what pleasure, taking me back to my childhood in the early 60s. Thank you very much.

[@13thwho]

The joke about Toronto near the end reminded me of something I once heard on “Truth or Consequences” in the early 1970s. Bob Barker would pose a question to a group of people before their consequence. One night the question was “What did the Lone Ranger say to his faithful Indian companion when he wanted to go to Canada?”. The answer: “Toronto, Tonto, pronto”.

[@lilgrease7292]

Always liked him.. just something about him..

[@geezer4962]

Those were the days, 10 years old, loved the Saturday cowboy shows.

[@russelljones3213]

Loved Jay Silverhills, what a cool guy and funny,

[@chilecayenne]

OH wow. I remember laughing at this for years from a recording I.made from the Dr. Demento show. I never thought to look for it on video...and KZbin popped it up. OH man..funny as ever, and now, priceless to see Tonto cracking up Johnny. Classic.

[@Lolly1122dooda]

So handsome. I always loved him.

[@faith6857]

Isn't he??😍😍😍

[@faith6857]

I love him too.

[@robertroberto2487]

Jay Silverheels A Hero A Friend.RIP.

[@victorioguedea9504]

A training instructor brought to light the name of Tonto was from the word tonto in Spanish meaning dummy in my dialect And the name kemosabé was from the phrase in Spanish, ‘ que más sabe’ or wha does he know So presumably the Lone Ranger would say tonto, ‘ you dummy’ and tonto would respond by saying,’ what does he know ‘ lol

[@thomasfoss9963]

Funny, I had read that too----

[@gerrydooley951]

Tonto was derived from a group of native Americans in Michigan and it meant "wild one". Kemo Sabe came from a summer camp in Mullet Lake, Michigan called Kamp Kee- MoSah- Bee. Jim Jewell the director of the Lone Ranger radio show and a co-creator of the character along with Fran Striker. used these names on the show. The Spanish meaning has nothing to do with Tonto or the Lone Ranger.

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

My indian friend from the Navy 1976 said that kemosabe meant... rear end of horse. We had laughs together about the white man taking his land. He passed away this last January 2024. He never told me that he was dying. I wish he would have called me for the last time. To you... Dave appodaca. USS Durham LKA 114. 1976-1978 and his surviving wife Annie in California.

[@TiffaniHall-g7l]

Love Jay Today, And Yesterday! Death Does Not Separate Love!

[@USCG.Brennan]

He was a cool dude.....and a good example for all us kids back then.

[@vickilindberg6336]

Gorgeous man!

[@Pickinbuddy]

Tonto's real name was Jay Silverheels. I used to take the bus to Brooklyn College in the very early 70s and the bus passed right by his house at the very beginning of Ave. J....I always liked him.

[@MovieMakingMan]

This was hilarious! I love Jay’s (Tonto’s) voice!

[@johnypitman2368]

Jay stays in caricature flawlessly

[@jaythor70]

Very funny. When you could poke fun at stereotypes and see humor........

[@arthurwatt5162]

Real comedy. No stupid reality shows. All worthless empty minded nonsense. These shows had well thought out lines that were funny.

[@raymondcook8364]

I can't stop replaying this video!

[@garyslaughter9923]

Notice the gesture he makes when he first comes out. Now we know where the "Wakanda Forever" salute comes from.

[@Marvelous-ge4ef]

The gesture is of African Origin. You can see the same gesture being made in the 1972 movie The possession of Joel Delaney. Members of the Puerto Rican community invoked and became possessed by the West African Yoruba deity named Shango. He is known as the god of thunder and lightning. They called him "Chango".

[@gregengel1616]

@@Marvelous-ge4ef it's a pretty generic gesture, so to say that its Origins were from Africa... since you brought up movies, it's been used in movies as long as movies have been around.

[@DrCruel]

Everyone steals from the native Americans. Now even the black folks are doing it.

[@zabadazidit]

@@cathynewyork7918 Because whiskey packs a wallop. Next?

[@zabadazidit]

@@cathynewyork7918 Well, then I guess you can see who the dominant species is…

[@margaretthayer8266]

He was an EXCELLENT ATHLETE; excelling at lacrosse, track. He was handsome with a voice very easy on the ear. Also he did all the real work; Tonto do this, go get this, etc, etc AND COULD SIT A HORSE BETTER THAN MOST!

[@felixmadison5736]

I'm 75 years-old and grew up watching The Lone Ranger and Tonto on black and white t.v. I saw their first movie in color in 1956 at our small town theater when I was 7 years-old. MAN!! Was that something special for a kid my age!! Tonto, and the Lone Ranger were always heroes to us kids back in the day. They were also heroes to Fonzie of 'Happy Days' fame.😂

[@jacksteele727]

Lone Ranger had a voice that stood out like no other.

[@felixmadison5736]

@@jacksteele727 Yes he did! Not as deep as "Cheyenne's" Clint Walker, but he got his point across.

[@jacksteele727]

@@felixmadison5736 Those were fun times, we got our 1st. TV around '49 I was 5 yrs. old, we watched a lot of "B" western's too.

[@felixmadison5736]

@@jacksteele727 I was born in 1949 and we had our first little black and white t.v. in the early or mid 1950s. My dad surprised our family one day in 1966 when he had a brand new Zenith 21" color television delivered to our home one afternoon. I was 17 years-old at that time. Color t.v. was still something fairly new then, and there were more black and white programs on, so my brother and I would watch the nightly news programs at around 5 or 6 o'clock just to see something in color.😂 I remember the t.v. Guide had programs shown in color marked, "In Color" next to the channel and the program being shown. That's how rare color t.v. was in the 1960s. I'm sure you are quite familiar with that Jack.😉

[@procopiojrpalacios9702]

Jay Silverheels! One of my family's first television heroes but as my Apache/Yaqui father pointed out, "Tonto" means "stupid, foolish" in Spanish. We still liked him as anything but, on the "Lone Ranger" series in the 1950's. Jay was also a tremendous athlete in boxing and lacrosse where in 1997 was elected to Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. RIP, Harold Jay Smith.

[@Bob-bb3ur]

We are so lucky we can still get shows like this Gene Autry Roy Rogers Leave it to Beaver Andy Griffin show

[@petratical]

Don't forget the two great ones; Roy Calhoun and Dale Robertson!

[@Bob-bb3ur]

@petratical oh yes we regularly watch the Texan and Wells Fargo

[@petratical]

@@Bob-bb3ur Isn't it strange that The great Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, are named in those two; Roy Calhoun and Dale Robertson. I just see things like this! Maybe those were just standard cowboy and cowgirl names!

[@lenbuckholtz2740]

phenomenal. first time i ever saw this one.

[@ayutthayatrojan]

We were lucky to experience his great talents. Fine sense of humor as well!¡!

[@MissFaithLouise]

Just remembering this skit. Have it on my TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON LP.

[@kenvarnold3659]

He was great in the series, and it's good to see the real human side of him...

[@markherron1407]

Tonto was based on a real life person named Grant Johnson and the Lone Ranger based on a real life person named Bass Reeves! Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!

[@MrPeterbs]

I heard historians actually refuted the Bass Reeves origin. You can google it.

[@ziggy33399]

How did you KNOW that??😮

[@markherron1407]

@@ziggy33399 I googled it! And I found out that Grant Johnson is an Native American and it told me about his life!

[@greymann]

Did he wear a blue suit and shoot silver bullets? Was he incredibly self righteous? Tonto was the man.

[@markherron1407]

@@greymann Bass Reeves didn't wear a mask 🎭 and a blue 💙 shirt 👕 and he didn't shoot silver bullets , the only person that I know is Clayton Moore the actor Grant Johnson didn't wear that stuff, you're thinking 🤔 about Clayton Moore!

[@VicDominatus]

Tonto jumps off the horse, puts his ear to the ground and say Buffalo come Kimosabi. The Lone Ranger asks, How you know? Tonto says "Ear Sticky"

[@kellycoleman715]

I had a friend in Wilmington, NC who said his son Steve lived there and he would see him around town occasionally. He was a Christian evangelist. Steve Silverheels would be in his 80’s now.

[@jeanneratterman4174]

Cute video. Enjoyed the humor and gentle subtle poking.

[@kingdoc3262]

First time I am actually seeing home off Lone Ranger. Thank you sir🎉Respect for the times Great skit

[@francisalanwormald6328]

I DO NOT RECALL FROM 1969...BUT this charmed me no end...NEAT FELLOW!!

[@maureencora1]

Native-American Mohawk, Heaven is for Heroes, R.I.P.

[@benoitpellet1657]

It started slow, but as soon as he said « thirty lousy years », the sketch took off like a rocket!

[@lelandcross9092]

Love him and Lone Ranger as a kid!

[@berrywalton3918]

He and the Lone Ranger never killed anyone by gunshot on any episode. He always shot a gun out of the hand of the bad guys. Classic childhood entertainment!!!!!

[@Mister_Pedantic]

Mad Magazine explained how that worked in those days. The hero's weapon can do all sorts of cool things like shooting around corners even, but only ever hits the villain's gun out of his hand. The villain's gun could not hit anything.

[@Paul-lm5gv]

Funny skit! Wish we could have seen the rest of the interview! Jay Silverheels (1912-1980) was an outstanding amateur athlete in his youth. Silverheels was born Harold Jay Smith in Ontario, Canada on the Six Nations of the Grand River reservation. From Wikipedia: While playing in Los Angeles on a touring box lacrosse team in 1937, Silverheels impressed (actor/producer) Joe E. Brown with his athleticism. Brown encouraged him to do a screen test, which led to an acting career with dozens of films to his credit including many westerns. Silverheels achieved his greatest fame as Tonto on 'The Lone Ranger' (1949-1957) TV series. Silverheels appeared in the film sequels: 'The Lone Ranger' (1956) and 'The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold' (1958).

[@ripmod1]

We loved Tonto.

[@duanearcher7576]

Class act!