This enamored my sister and I to the Lone Ranger, as it broke stereotypes. Jay Silverheels was previously married to Mary Diroma (1946 - 1980). Three girls and a boy named Jay Silverheels Jr. His zodiac sign is Gemini. Jay Silverheels had four children. Mr. Silverheels is survived by his wife Mari, and four children, Marilyn, Pamela, Karen and Jay Anthony. Canadian Actor Jay Silverheels was born Harold J. Smith on 26th May, 1912 in Six Nations Indian Reserve, Brantford, Ontario, Canada and passed away on 5th Mar 1980 Calabasas, California, USA aged 67. He was third in a family of 11 children (8 boys, 3 girls). Actor Jay Silverheels, who played Tonto, the masked man’s faithful Indian companion, is pleased by the show’s continued popularity, even though he no longer receives royalties. Even though Tonto rode point for the Ranger, and often got townspeoples' discrimination and a beating! My interview with Author Zig Misiak on 11/13/15. He is most remembered for The Lone Ranger. Mary Diroma and Jay Silverheels were married for 34 years before Jay Silverheels died, leaving behind his partner and 4 children.. We noticed you’re blocking ads! Jay Silverheels was born Harold Jay Smith in Canada’s largest reserve, the Sixth Nations, near Brandtford, Ontario. Was Jay Silverheels one of the first Native Americans to play one in popular culture? Subscriber sign in. I note even John Wayne still employed Bruce Cabot in Big Jake as late as 1971 to play a native American; Sam Sharpnose. In the interview Zig and I talk about the life and career of Jay Silverheels. They had 4 children, Pamela Sue (65), Karen (62), Joseph (60) and Jay (58).. About. The 11 children and their parents grew up in a run-down Victorian house on land that was ceded to the Sixth Nations in 1874. Please feel free to contact me at: mradich8@hotmail.com. About. Jay Silverheels is best known for playing Tonto in the television series, The Lone Ranger.