Tonto

Tonto
Jay Silverheels (right) as Tonto with Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger in the TV adaptation
Publication information
First appearance	WXYZ radio; Detroit, Michigan, USA; February 25, 1933
Created by	George W. Trendle
In-story information
Place of origin	Earth (nation: Comanche)
Partnerships	The Lone Ranger
Abilities	Expert marksman and horseman Trained hand-to-hand combatant

Tonto is a fictional character, the either Potawatomi or Comanche companion of the Lone Ranger, a popular American Western character created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker. Tonto has appeared in radio and television series and other presentations of the characters' adventures righting wrongs in 19th century western America.

In Spanish, "tonto" translates as "moron" or "fool". In the Spanish dubbed version, the character is called "Toro" (Spanish for "bull") or "Ponto". In the Italian version the original name is retained, despite the fact that its meaning in Italian is the same as in Spanish.

Tonto made his first appearance on the 11th episode of the radio show, which originated on the Detroit, Michigan, radio station WXYZ. Though he became well known as the Lone Ranger's friend, Tonto was originally created just so the Lone Ranger would have someone with whom to talk. Throughout the radio run (which spanned 21 years), with only a few exceptions, Tonto was played by American actor John Todd.

This character was portrayed on television (arguably the most well-remembered version today) by Jay Silverheels. This was the highest-rated television program on the ABC network in the early 1950s and its first true "hit".

In The Tarzan/Lone Ranger Adventure Hour, he was voiced by Ivan Naranjo, a Blackfoot/Southern Ute actor who hailed from Colorado.