Clayton Moore - The Lone Ranger | Western Folk Icon |
| Clayton Moore actually fell in love with The Lone Ranger western character and lived his personal life by the Lone Ranger Creed. His life and his fight to wear the mask, made Clayton Moore a western hero and an American folk icon. |
| Clayton Moore-The Lone Ranger Biography |
Clayton Moore was born Jack Carlton Moore on September 14, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois. As a boy, Moore was a circus acrobat and later began a career as a model.
He moved to Hollywood in the 1930s and began working as a stunt man, and bit player between his modeling jobs. In 1940 a Hollywood producer convinced him to adopt the stage name "Clayton" Moore.
Clayton Moore's big break came when he was seen as the masked hero in the western film "Ghost of Zorro" in 1949. |
 |
The creator of "The Lone Ranger" character launched the masked man in the new medium of television and Clayton Moore was cast in the character role on sight.
With the first notes of the "William Tell Overture", Clayton Moore, along with his co-star Jay Silverheels, as "Tonto" made western television history. "The Lone Ranger" soon became the highest rated program on the ABC network, earning an Emmy in 1950. |
|
The Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto. |
After two successful seasons, with new episodes each week, Clayton Moore left the series over a pay dispute. This created problems for the network as the public did not accept the new actor in the role of "The Longe Ranger". The owners of the program gave in and rehired Clayton Moore at his requested salary. Moore stayed with the program until it ended production in 1957.
After "The Lone Ranger" series, Clayton Moore embarked on what eventually became 40 years of personal appearances, including TV guest spots and classic commercials as the legendary masked man. At times, Jay Silverheels "Tonto" joined him on occasional appearances. |
In 1979, Jack Wrather, obtained a court order that prohibited Clayton Moore from making any future appearances as "The Lone Ranger". In response, Moore changed the the costume slightly and replaced the mask with wraparound sunglasses and counter-sued Wrather. Moore won the lawsuit and was allowed to continue to appear as "The Lone Ranger" and did so until shortly before his death.
Clayton Moore actually fell in love with "The Lone Ranger" character and made every effort to live his personal life by the "Lone Ranger Creed". This, along with his fight for the privilege of wearing the mask, made Clayton Moore an American folk icon. |
Clayton Moore - The Lone Ranger star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. |
Clayton Moore's full face is largely unknown to the general public as he chose to protect the Ranger's identity at all times. Fans of "The Longe Ranger" don't really have to see his face, they just know his voice.
As of 2006, Clayton Moore was the only star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to have his name and his character name on his star, it reads - "Clayton Moore - The Lone Ranger".
Clayton Moore, The Lone Ranger died of a heart attack on December 28, 1999, at age 85. |
"A fiery horse with the speed of light,
a cloud of dust and a hearty "Hi Yo Silver!"
The Lone Ranger.
"Hi Yo Silver, away!" |
|
With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order in the early west. |
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.
The Lone Ranger rides again!"
|
|
The Lone Ranger Creed!
By: Fran Striker
"I believe that to have a friend, a man must be one.
That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
That God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself.
In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.
That 'This government, of the people, by the people and for the people' shall live always.
That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.
That sooner or later...somewhere...
somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
That all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever. In my Creator, my country, my fellow man." |
Try A Little Western Trivia |
|
