Jay Silverheels’ Death – Cause and Date

The athlete-turned-actor Jay Silverheels died at the age of 67. Here is what happened to him.

Mohawk who became an actor

Mohawk First Nations athlete turned actor who played the role of Tonto, the faithful American Indian companion, on TV’s The Lone Ranger.

He served in the military in World War II.

He had a son, Jay Silverheels, Jr. who followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor.

How did Jay Silverheels die?

Silverheels had a stroke in 1976. The next year, his co-star from The Lone Ranger, Clayton Moore, honored him by riding an American Paint Horse in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.

Silverheels died on March 5, 1980, from complications of his previous stroke, at age sixty-seven, in Calabasas, Los Angeles County, California. A spokesperson at the home where he was hospitalized said he died from complications from pneumonia.

Where is he buried?

The actor was cremated at Chapel of the Pines Crematory, and his ashes were returned to the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario.