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Jay Silverheels

Jay Silverheels

Actor · Died March 5, 1980, aged 67 · Six Nations Reservation, Brantford, Ontario, Canada

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 26, 1912
Died
March 5, 1980 (aged 67)
From
Six Nations Reservation, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
42 on MovieCove · 82 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 17% in 30 days

What are Jay Silverheels' films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
35%
Bonds
26%
Society
21%
Self
10%
Survival
4%
Power
4%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 7 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 10 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Hopeful
7
Melancholic
3
Thrilling
2
Dread
2
Other
9

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Jay Silverheels' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 42 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jay Silverheels' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

82 credits, 42 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Lone Ranger: Who Was That Masked Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Tonto

  • The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Lone Ranger: Lost Episodes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Tonto

  • Santee(1973)

    as John Crow

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing(1973)

    as The Chief

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • One Little Indian(1973)

    as Jimmy Wolf

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • In Pursuit of Treasure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cat Ballou (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Indian Chief

  • The Phynx(1970)

    as Tonto

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Brady Bunch(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Eagle Cloud

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • True Grit(1969)

    as Condemned Man at Hanging (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Smith!(1969)

    as McDonald Lasheway

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Movie Orgy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Tonto (archive footage)

  • Pistols 'n' Petticoats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Great Bear

  • Pistols 'n' Petticoats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Great Bear

  • Indian Paint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Chief Hevatanu

  • Branded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Chenrogan · as Latawa · as Sashona

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Den'Gwatzi · as Spotted Hand

  • Gunslinger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Hopi Indian

  • Texas John Slaughter: Geronimo's Revenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Natchez

  • Alias Jesse James(1959)

    as Tonto (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Pawnee Joe

  • Wanted: Dead or Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Charley Red Cloud

  • The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold(1958)

    as Tonto

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Return to Warbow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Indian Joe

  • Walk the Proud Land(1956)

    as Geronimo

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Lone Ranger(1956)

    as Tonto

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Vanishing American (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Beeteia

  • Masterson of Kansas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Yellow Hawk

  • Four Guns to the Border(1954)

    as Yaqui

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Black Dakotas(1954)

    as Black Buffalo

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Drums Across the River(1954)

    as Taos

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Saskatchewan(1954)

    as Cajou

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • War Arrow(1953)

    as Satanta

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Nebraskan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Spotted Bear

  • Jack McCall, Desperado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Red Cloud

  • Last of the Comanches(1953)

    as Indian (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Pathfinder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Chingachgook

  • Yankee Buccaneer(1952)

    as Lead Warrior

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Brave Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Chief Tecumseh

  • The Battle at Apache Pass(1952)

    as Geronimo

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Half-Breed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Apache (uncredited)

  • The Legend Of The Lone Ranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Tonto

  • The Wild Blue Yonder(1951)

    as Benders

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Red Mountain(1951)

    as Little Crow

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Broken Arrow(1950)

    as Geronimo (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Cowboy and the Indians(1949)

    as Lakohna

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Lone Ranger(1949)

    Show 221 episodes · as Tonto

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Sand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Indian (uncredited)

  • Trail of the Yukon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Poleon

  • Lust for Gold(1949)

    as Walter

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Laramie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Running Wolf (uncredited)

  • Tulsa(1949)

    as Creek Indian (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Yellow Sky(1948)

    as Indian (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Feathered Serpent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Diego (uncredited)

  • Family Honeymoon(1948)

    as Elevator Boy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Singin' Spurs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Abel

  • Key Largo(1948)

    as Tom Osceola (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Fury at Furnace Creek(1948)

    as Little Dog (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Treasure of the Sierra Madre(1948)

    as Indian Guide at Pier (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Captain from Castile(1947)

    as Coatl (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Prairie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Running Deer

  • The Last Round-up(1947)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Gas House Kids Go West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Kingsley's Henchman (uncredited)

  • Tahiti Nights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Lua

  • I Am an American (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Indian (uncredited)

  • Lost in a Harem(1944)

    as Guard at Execution (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Passage to Marseille(1944)

    as Sailor Crewman on Boat Deck (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Phantom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Astari Warrior (uncredited)

  • Northern Pursuit(1943)

    as Indian (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Girl from Monterrey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Fighter Tito Flores

  • Perils of Nyoka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Tuareg

  • Valley of the Sun(1942)

    as Indian (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • This Woman Is Mine(1941)

    as Indian Marauder

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Western Union(1941)

    as Indian

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Hudson's Bay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Indian (uncredited)

  • Too Many Girls(1940)

    as Indian (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Kit Carson(1940)

    as Indian

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Sea Hawk(1940)

    as Native Lookout

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • A Different Drum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Jim Swift Hands

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 82 titles, 81 of them dated from 1940 to 2013.

Highest rated

The Lone Ranger (1949)

Midcredits 74th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting82 of 82: 82 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score56th

By decade

1940s33 · acting1950s26 · acting1960s12 · acting1970s7 · acting2000s2 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Jay Silverheels' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 56th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 56th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 42 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 42 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed10
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

The Phynx (1970)

71st percentile spread · 47% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

Midcredits 99th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Jay Silverheels work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jay Silverheels' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Clayton Moore shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers