A full-blooded Mohawk, was a champion wrestler, a boxer, and a star lacrosse player with Canada’s national team before setting his sights on Hollywood. He started to gain some notice in 1948 when John Huston cast him as Tom Osceola in Key Largo but it was television, not the movies, that would bring him fame. In 1949, Silverheels landed the role of Tonto, the Lone Ranger’s faithful sidekick, and found himself forever typecast. Very scarce colorized glossy 8 x 10 photo of Silverheels as Tonto atop Scout, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint “To John, My best always, Jay Silverheels, Tonto,” also adding a symbolic version of his name underneath.” Paperclip impressions to top edge, a few creases and impressions, and some light curling to horizontal edges, otherwise fine condition. Any signed photo of Silverheels as Tonto is hard to come by, with color photos being especially scarce. R&R COA.
