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{{short description|American motion picture and television actor (1917-2009)}}
{{short description|American actor}}
{{about|the American cinema actor|other people with the same name|John Hart (disambiguation)}}
{{about|the American cinema actor|other people with the same name|John Hart (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = John Hart
| name = John Hart
| image = John_Hart_Actor.jpg
| image = John_Hart_in_Hawkeye_and_the_Last_of_the_Mohicans_1957.jpeg
| caption = John Hart portrays Nat "Hawkeye" Cutler in the syndicated 1957 Western series "Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans."
| caption = John Hart in ''[[Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans]]'' 1957
| birth_name = John Lewis Hart
| birth_name = John Lewis Hart
| birth_date = {{birth date|1917|12|13}}<ref>[http://www.nndb.com/people/872/000027791/ John Hart - NNDB]</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date|1917|12|13}}{{Citation needed |date=March 2021}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], United States
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|9|20|1917|12|13}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|9|20|1917|12|13}}
| death_place = [[Playas de Rosarito, Baja California]], Mexico
| death_place = [[Playas de Rosarito, Baja California]], Mexico
| education = [[South Pasadena High School]]
| nationality = American
| othername = John Hilton
| othername = John Hilton
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| yearsactive = 1937–1982
| yearsactive = 1937–1982
| spouse = {{marriage|Beryl Braithwaite|1957|2009}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Beryl Braithwaite|1957|2009}}
| children = {{unbulleted list|[[Buddy Hart]] (son)|Robyn Proiette (daughter)}}
| children = 1
}}
}}


'''John Lewis Hart''' (December 13, 1917 &ndash; September 20, 2009), also credited as '''John Hilton''' was an American film and television actor. In his early career, Hart appeared mostly in [[Western film|westerns]]. Although Hart played mostly minor roles in some fairly well known films, he was probably best known for having replaced [[Clayton Moore]] in 1952 in the [[television series]], [[The Lone Ranger (TV series)|''The Lone Ranger'']] for one season from 1952 until 1953.
'''John Lewis Hart''' (December 13, 1917 &ndash; September 20, 2009), also credited as '''John Hilton''', was an American film and television actor. In his early career, Hart appeared mostly in [[Western film|westerns]]. Although Hart played mostly minor roles in some fairly well known films, he was probably best known for playing the character [[Natty Bumppo|Hawkeye]] in the TV series ''[[Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans]]'' and replacing [[Clayton Moore]] in the [[television series]] [[The Lone Ranger (TV series)|''The Lone Ranger'']] for one season (1952–53).


==Career==
==Career==
Hart began his screen career in 1937 with a bit part in ''[[Daughter of Shanghai]]''. He continued in a variety of [[B pictures]] such as ''Prison Farm'' and ''[[King of Alcatraz]]'' before appearing in two of [[Cecil B. DeMille]]'s films ''[[The Buccaneer (1938 film)|The Buccaneer]]'' (1938) and ''[[North West Mounted Police (film)|North West Mounted Police]]'' (1940). In 1941, Hart's acting career was interrupted when he was [[conscription in the United States|drafted]] into the [[United States Army]]. He rose to the rank of [[first sergeant]] in the [[Coast Artillery]] and eventually served in the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bajatimes.com/past/articles06/articles05B_06/art8.html |title=The Lone Ranger Comes to Rosarito |first=Roberta |last=Giesea |newspaper=Baja Times |location=Baja California, Mexico |date=2000 |accessdate=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020074949/http://bajatimes.com/past/articles06/articles05B_06/art8.html |archivedate=October 20, 2010 }}</ref> Following his military service, Hart worked frequently for [[Sam Katzman]]; he was given the lead role in the ''[[Jack Armstrong (serial)|Jack Armstrong]]'' (1947) [[film serial]]. Hart did stunt work and acted in numerous [[Western (genre)|westerns]].
Hart began his screen career in 1937 with a bit part in ''[[Daughter of Shanghai]]''. He continued in a variety of [[B pictures]] such as ''Prison Farm'' and ''[[King of Alcatraz]]'' before appearing in two of [[Cecil B. DeMille]]'s films ''[[The Buccaneer (1938 film)|The Buccaneer]]'' (1938) and ''[[North West Mounted Police (film)|North West Mounted Police]]'' (1940). In 1941, Hart's acting career was interrupted when he was [[conscription in the United States|drafted]] into the [[United States Army]]. He rose to the rank of [[first sergeant]] in the [[Coast Artillery]] and eventually served in the [[Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bajatimes.com/past/articles06/articles05B_06/art8.html |title=The Lone Ranger Comes to Rosarito |first=Roberta |last=Giesea |newspaper=Baja Times |location=Baja California, Mexico |date=2000 |access-date=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101020074949/http://bajatimes.com/past/articles06/articles05B_06/art8.html |archive-date=October 20, 2010 }}</ref> Following his military service, Hart worked frequently for [[Sam Katzman]]; he was given the lead role in the ''[[Jack Armstrong (serial)|Jack Armstrong]]'' (1947) [[film serial]]. Hart did stunt work and acted in numerous [[Western (genre)|westerns]].


Hart was eventually offered the opportunity to replace Clayton Moore on ''The Lone Ranger'' television series. Based on the assumption that the [[mask]]ed character, rather than the actor, was the true star of ''The Lone Ranger,'' the program's producers fired Moore (presumably over salary differences) and replaced him with Hart, who was of a similar build and had a comparable background in Westerns.<ref>{{cite news|title= After 60 Years, the Lone Ranger Still Lives|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 12, 1993|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1993-06-12/entertainment/ca-2379_1_lone-ranger/2|accessdate=September 27, 2010|first=Dennis|last=McLellan}}</ref> However, the public never truly accepted Hart as the Lone Ranger, and by 1954 the producers returned Moore to the role. According to Clayton Moore's autobiography ''I Was That Masked Man,'' Moore never knew why he was replaced by Hart, and also stated that he had not sought a pay increase. Hart acted in minor roles in two episodes of ''The Lone Ranger'' before being asked to replace Clayton Moore for the entire third season. The episodes were "Rifles and Renegades" (#34) and "Sheriff at Gunstock" (#46).
Hart was eventually offered the opportunity to replace Clayton Moore on ''[[The Lone Ranger (TV series)|The Lone Ranger]]'' television series. Based on the assumption that the [[mask]]ed character, rather than the actor, was the true star of ''The Lone Ranger'', the program's producers fired Moore (presumably over salary differences) and replaced him with Hart, who was of a similar build and had a comparable background in Westerns.<ref>{{cite news|title= After 60 Years, the Lone Ranger Still Lives|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=June 12, 1993|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-12-ca-2379-story.html|access-date=September 27, 2010|first=Dennis|last=McLellan}}</ref> However, the public never truly accepted Hart as the Lone Ranger (his speaking voice was significantly different from Moore's), and by 1954 the producers returned Moore to the role. According to Clayton Moore's autobiography ''I Was That Masked Man,'' Moore never knew why he was replaced by Hart, and also stated that he had not sought a pay increase. Hart acted in minor roles in two episodes of ''The Lone Ranger'' before being asked to replace Clayton Moore for the entire third season. The episodes were "Rifles and Renegades" (#34) and "Sheriff at Gunstock" (#46).


Hart continued to act in films for more than two decades, appearing in films of several genres, almost always in supporting roles. Hart appeared twice in on the TV series ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' as Lucy's old boyfriend and again in the Hollywood episodes as a lifeguard at the hotel pool. In 1955, Hart starred in ''[[The Adventures of Captain Africa]]'', which was originally intended to be a new movie about famous comic book hero [[The Phantom]]. However, licensing issues forced [[Columbia Pictures]] re-film the entire serial and re-christen the hero "Captain Africa." <ref name="McLellan"/> Hart also had numerous supporting roles in the ''[[Highway Patrol (U.S. TV series)|Highway Patrol]]'' TV series. In 1957, Hart portrayed Nat "Hawkeye" Cutler in the [[Television syndication|syndicated]] western series ''[[Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans]],''. The one-season program was based loosely on the novels of [[James Fenimore Cooper]]. It was filmed in [[Canada]] and featured some [[Native Americans in the United States|Indians]] in a favorable image. Interviewed by Tom Weaver in "Western Clippings" magazine (May–June 2000), Hart revealed that he met actress Beryl Braithwaite when she played a role in an episode of the series; they married just days later, with "Hawkeye" co-star [[Lon Chaney, Jr.]], the best man at the wedding.
Hart continued to act in films for more than two decades, appearing in films of several genres, almost always in supporting roles. Hart appeared twice on the TV series ''[[I Love Lucy]]'' as Lucy's old boyfriend and again in the Hollywood episodes as a lifeguard at the hotel pool. In 1955, Hart starred in the serial ''[[The Adventures of Captain Africa]]'', which was originally intended to be a new movie about famous comic book hero [[The Phantom]]. However, licensing issues forced [[Columbia Pictures]] to re-film the entire serial and re-christen the hero "Captain Africa."<ref name="McLellan"/> Hart also had numerous supporting roles in the ''[[Highway Patrol (U.S. TV series)|Highway Patrol]]'' TV series. Interviewed by Tom Weaver in "Western Clippings" magazine (May–June 2000), Hart revealed that he met actress Beryl Braithwaite when she played a role in an episode of the series; they married just days later, with "Hawkeye" co-star [[Lon Chaney Jr.]], the best man at the wedding.


In 1965 Hart made two brief appearances on the TV series ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', including the role of title character and murder victim Jamison Selff in "The Case of the Wrathful Wraith." In the 1970 film ''[[The Phynx]]'', Hart played the Lone Ranger alongside [[Jay Silverheels]] as Tonto, spoofing their characters. Hart's last theatrical film appearance was in 1981's ''[[The Legend of the Lone Ranger]]'' in which he appeared as a [[newspaper]] [[editing|editor]]. He appeared in the television series ''[[Happy Days]]'' as the Lone Ranger in the episode "Hi Yo, Fonzie Away" (February 9, 1982). In this episode [[Fonzie]], played by [[Henry Winkler]] gets to meet his childhood hero, the Lone Ranger, for his birthday. Hart's other major late appearance was in an episode of ''[[The Greatest American Hero]]'', ''My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys'', where Hart gives the title character an inspiring speech about heroism.
In 1965 Hart made two brief appearances on the TV series ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'', including the role of title character and murder victim Jamison Selff in "The Case of the Wrathful Wraith." In the 1970 film ''[[The Phynx]]'', Hart played the Lone Ranger alongside [[Jay Silverheels]] as Tonto, spoofing their characters. Hart's last theatrical film appearance was in 1981's ''[[The Legend of the Lone Ranger]]'' in which he appeared as a [[newspaper]] [[editing|editor]]. He appeared in the television series ''[[Happy Days]]'' as the Lone Ranger in the episode "Hi Yo, Fonzie Away" (February 9, 1982). In this episode [[Fonzie]], played by [[Henry Winkler]], meets his childhood hero, the Lone Ranger, for his birthday. Hart's other major late appearance was in an episode of ''[[The Greatest American Hero]]'', "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys", in which Hart gives the title character an inspiring speech about heroism.


==Personal life and death==
==Personal life and death==
{{disputed section|date=May 2020}}
{{disputed section|date=May 2020}}
Born in Los Angeles, Hart's mother was named Enid and he had a sister, Shari.<ref>{{cite journal|title=(photo caption)|journal=Films of the Golden Age|date=Summer 2015|issue=81|page=53}}</ref> Hart attended [[South Pasadena High School]] and later studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sphsaa.org/class_profile.cfm?member_id=1416186|title=John Lewis Hart (Deceased), South Pasadena, CA California last lived in San Ysidro, CA|last=Eskander|first=Bruce|website=www.sphsaa.org|access-date=2018-06-05}}</ref> He and his wife Beryl had a son, Buddy,{{source needed|date=March 2020}} and a daughter, Robyn. On September 20, 2009, Hart died from complications of [[dementia]] at his home in [[Playas de Rosarito, Baja California]], [[Mexico]] at the age of 91. His ashes were scattered into the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="McLellan">{{cite web |title=John Hart dies 91 |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-hart23-2009sep23,0,2845778.story |first=Dennis |last=McLellan |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=[[Los Angeles]], [[California]] |date=September 29, 2009 |accessdate=September 8, 2014}}</ref>
Hart was born in Los Angeles. His mother was named Enid, and he had a sister, Shari.<ref>{{cite journal|title=(photo caption)|journal=Films of the Golden Age|date=Summer 2015|issue=81|page=53}}</ref> Hart attended [[South Pasadena High School]] and later studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sphsaa.org/class_profile.cfm?member_id=1416186|title=John Lewis Hart (Deceased), South Pasadena, CA California last lived in San Ysidro, CA|last=Eskander|first=Bruce|website=www.sphsaa.org|access-date=2018-06-05}}</ref> He and his wife Beryl had a daughter, Robyn. On September 20, 2009, Hart died from complications of [[dementia]] at his home in [[Playas de Rosarito, Baja California]], [[Mexico]] at the age of 91. His ashes were scattered into the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref name="McLellan">{{cite web |title=John Hart dies 91 |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-john-hart23-2009sep23,0,2845778.story |first=Dennis |last=McLellan |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |location=[[Los Angeles]], [[California]] |date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=September 8, 2014}}</ref>


== Selected filmography ==
== Selected filmography ==
Line 45: Line 43:
*1938: ''[[Touchdown, Army]]'' - Cadet Battle (uncredited)
*1938: ''[[Touchdown, Army]]'' - Cadet Battle (uncredited)
*1938: ''[[Illegal Traffic]]'' - Davis
*1938: ''[[Illegal Traffic]]'' - Davis
*1939: ''[[Disbarred (1939 film)|Disbarred]]'' - First Reporter
*1939: ''[[Disbarred (film)|Disbarred]]'' - First Reporter
*1939: ''[[Persons in Hiding]]'' - Male Stenographer
*1939: ''[[Persons in Hiding]]'' - Male Stenographer
*1939: ''[[Million Dollar Legs (1939 film)|Million Dollar Legs]]'' - Haldeman (uncredited)
*1939: ''[[Million Dollar Legs (1939 film)|Million Dollar Legs]]'' - Haldeman (uncredited)
Line 57: Line 55:
*1947: ''[[Brick Bradford (serial)|Brick Bradford]]'' (Serial) - Dent
*1947: ''[[Brick Bradford (serial)|Brick Bradford]]'' (Serial) - Dent
*1948: ''[[I Love Trouble (1948 film)|I Love Trouble]]'' - Police Detective (uncredited)
*1948: ''[[I Love Trouble (1948 film)|I Love Trouble]]'' - Police Detective (uncredited)
*1948: ''Tex Granger: Midnight Rider of the Plains'' - Crane (uncredited)
*1948: ''[[Tex Granger: Midnight Rider of the Plains]]'' - Crane (uncredited)
*1948: ''[[Waterfront at Midnight]]'' - Woody
*1948: ''[[Waterfront at Midnight]]'' - Woody
*1948: ''[[The Velvet Touch]]'' - Partygoer's Escort (uncredited)
*1948: ''[[The Velvet Touch]]'' - Partygoer's Escort (uncredited)
Line 66: Line 64:
*1949: ''[[Batman and Robin (serial)|Batman and Robin]]'' (Serial) - John Hench / Mechanic [Ch. 2] (uncredited)
*1949: ''[[Batman and Robin (serial)|Batman and Robin]]'' (Serial) - John Hench / Mechanic [Ch. 2] (uncredited)
*1949: ''[[Special Agent (1949 film)|Special Agent]]'' - Ranch Foreman Frank Kent
*1949: ''[[Special Agent (1949 film)|Special Agent]]'' - Ranch Foreman Frank Kent
*1949: ''[[Joe Palooka in The Counterpunch]]'' - Pedro
*1949: ''[[Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch]]'' - Pedro
*1949: ''[[The Fighting Redhead]]'' - Faro Savage
*1949: ''[[The Fighting Redhead]]'' - Faro Savage
*1949: ''[[Cowboy and the Prizefighter]]'' - Mark Palmer
*1949: ''[[Cowboy and the Prizefighter]]'' - Mark Palmer
Line 74: Line 72:
*1950: ''[[Chain Gang (1950 film)|Chain Gang]]'' - Chain Gang Member (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Chain Gang (1950 film)|Chain Gang]]'' - Chain Gang Member (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Hit Parade of 1951]]'' - Bandit (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Hit Parade of 1951]]'' - Bandit (uncredited)
*1950: ''Hot Rod'' - Policeman (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Hot Rod (1950 film)|Hot Rod]]'' - Policeman (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Pirates of the High Seas]]'' (Serial) - Jenkins - aka Earl Turner [Ch.1] (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Pirates of the High Seas]]'' (Serial) - Jenkins - aka Earl Turner [Ch.1] (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Revenue Agent]]'' - U.S. Border Patroman (uncredited)
*1950: ''[[Revenue Agent]]'' - U.S. Border Patroman (uncredited)
Line 91: Line 89:
*1952: ''[[Aladdin and His Lamp]]'' - Gate Guard (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Aladdin and His Lamp]]'' - Gate Guard (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land]]'' - Commissioner's Secretary (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land]]'' - Commissioner's Secretary (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Wild Stallion]]'' - Cavalry Corporal (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Wild Stallion]]'' - Cavalry Corporal (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Thief of Damascus]]'' - Soldier / Messenger (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Thief of Damascus]]'' - Soldier / Messenger (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Kansas Territory (film)|Kansas Territory]]'' - U.S. Marshal Matt Furness
*1952: ''[[Kansas Territory (film)|Kansas Territory]]'' - U.S. Marshal Matt Furness
*1952: ''[[Dead Man's Trail]]'' - Ranger Captain (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[Dead Man's Trail]]'' - Ranger Captain (uncredited)
*1952: ''Caribbean'' - Stuart
*1952: ''[[Caribbean (1952 film)|Caribbean]]'' - Stuart
*1952: ''[[The Golden Hawk]]'' - Pirate Helmsman (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[The Golden Hawk]]'' - Pirate Helmsman (uncredited)
*1952: ''[[The Pathfinder (1952 film)|The Pathfinder]]'' - British Sergeant
*1952: ''[[The Pathfinder (1952 film)|The Pathfinder]]'' - British Sergeant
*1953: ''The Lone Ranger (TV Series Season 3) - The Lone Ranger
*1953: ''The Lone Ranger'' (TV Series Season 3) - The Lone Ranger
*1953: ''[[Prince of Pirates]]'' - Captain of the Guards (uncredited)
*1953: ''[[Prince of Pirates]]'' - Captain of the Guards (uncredited)
*1953: ''[[The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd]]'' (Serial) - Jenkins [Chs.4-6, 8-10]
*1953: ''[[The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd]]'' (Serial) - Jenkins [Chs.4-6, 8-10]
Line 107: Line 105:
*1956: ''[[The Crooked Web]]'' - Charlie Holt (uncredited)
*1956: ''[[The Crooked Web]]'' - Charlie Holt (uncredited)
*1956: ''[[Perils of the Wilderness]]'' - Henchman (uncredited)
*1956: ''[[Perils of the Wilderness]]'' - Henchman (uncredited)
*1956: ''[[The Ten Commandments]]'' - Cretan Ambassador (uncredited)
*1956: ''[[The Ten Commandments (1956 film)|The Ten Commandments]]'' - Cretan Ambassador (uncredited)
*1957: ''[[Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans]]'' (TV Series) - Nat 'Hawkeye' Cutler
*1957: ''[[Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans]]'' (TV Series~39 episodes~lead character) - Nat 'Hawkeye' Cutler
*1958: ''[[Wolf Dog]]'' - Andy Bates (uncredited)
*1958: ''[[Wolf Dog]]'' - Andy Bates (uncredited)
*1958-1962: ''[[Leave It to Beaver]]'' (TV Series) - Forest Ranger / Construction Worker / Troop #21 Scoutmaster Norton
*1958-1962: ''[[Leave It to Beaver]]'' (TV Series) - Forest Ranger / Construction Worker / Troop #21 Scoutmaster Norton
Line 114: Line 112:
*1959: ''[[Inside the Mafia]]'' - State Trooper (uncredited)
*1959: ''[[Inside the Mafia]]'' - State Trooper (uncredited)
*1959: ''[[Vice Raid]]'' - Final Thug at Malone's Office (uncredited)
*1959: ''[[Vice Raid]]'' - Final Thug at Malone's Office (uncredited)
*1959-1965: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' (TV Series) - Narbo / Sheriff / Harley Lear
*1959: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Slim in S2:E6, "Incident of the 13th Man"
*1960: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Posseman in S2:E19, "Incident of the Sharpshooter"
*1960: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Murdoch in S2:E22, "Incident of the Champagne Bottles"
*1960: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Nate Johnson in S3:E2, "Incident of the Challange"
*1960: ''[[Noose for a Gunman]]'' - Dave Barker - Avery Gunman (uncredited)
*1960: ''[[Noose for a Gunman]]'' - Dave Barker - Avery Gunman (uncredited)
*1960: ''[[Bat Masterson (TV series)|Bat Masterson]]'' - Jacobs (outlaw)
*1960: ''[[The Subterraneans]]'' - Cop (uncredited)
*1960: ''[[The Subterraneans]]'' - Cop (uncredited)
*1960: ''[[Bells Are Ringing (film)|Bells Are Ringing]]'' - Party Guest (uncredited)
*1960: ''[[Bells Are Ringing (film)|Bells Are Ringing]]'' - Party Guest (uncredited)
*1961: ''[[Go Naked in the World]]'' - Club Doorman (uncredited)
*1961: ''[[Go Naked in the World]]'' - Club Doorman (uncredited)
*1961: ''[[Pete and Gladys]]'' (CBS, TV Series) - Mervin
*1961: ''[[Pete and Gladys]]'' (CBS, TV Series) - Mervin
*1961: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Sheriff in S3:E11, "Incident of the Broken Word"
*1961: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Prussel in S3:E17, "Incident of the New Start"
*1961: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Rep One in S4:E2, "The Sendoff"
*1961: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Sheriff in S4:E5, "The Lost Tribe"
*1961: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Spence in S4:E11, "The Gentlemen's Gentleman"
*1961: ''[[Atlantis, the Lost Continent]]'' - Nobleman (uncredited)
*1961: ''[[Atlantis, the Lost Continent]]'' - Nobleman (uncredited)
*1961: ''[[Ada (1961 film)|Ada]]'' - Politician at Rally (uncredited)
*1961: ''[[Ada (1961 film)|Ada]]'' - Politician at Rally (uncredited)
*1961-1962: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Narbo in S4:7 Episodes
*1962: ''[[The Horizontal Lieutenant]]'' - Lieutenant (uncredited)
*1962: ''[[The Horizontal Lieutenant]]'' - Lieutenant (uncredited)
*1962: ''[[Billy Rose's Jumbo]]'' - Marshall (uncredited)
*1962: ''[[Billy Rose's Jumbo]]'' - Marshall (uncredited)
*1962: ''[[Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol]]'' as Billings, Stage Manager, Milkman
*1962: ''[[Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol]]'' as Billings, Stage Manager, Milkman
*1963: ''[[The Courtship of Eddie's Father]]'' - State Trooper (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[The Courtship of Eddie's Father (film)|The Courtship of Eddie's Father]]'' - State Trooper (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[It Happened at the World's Fair]]'' - (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[It Happened at the World's Fair]]'' - (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[The Man from the Diners' Club]]'' (1963) - Motorcycle Patrolman (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[The Man from the Diners' Club]]'' (1963) - Motorcycle Patrolman (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[Captain Newman, M.D.]]'' (1963) - Officer (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[Captain Newman, M.D.]]'' (1963) - Officer (uncredited)
*1963: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Narbo in S5:E31, "Abilene"
*1964: ''[[Viva Las Vegas]]'' - Casino Patron (uncredited)
*1964: ''[[Viva Las Vegas]]'' - Casino Patron (uncredited)
*1964: ''[[Marnie (film)|Marnie]]'' - Dr. Gilliat - Minister (uncredited)
*1964: ''[[Marnie (film)|Marnie]]'' - Dr. Gilliat - Minister (uncredited)
*1964: ''[[36 Hours (1965 film)|36 Hours]]'' - Lt. Cmdr. Perkins (uncredited)
*1964: ''[[36 Hours (1965 film)|36 Hours]]'' - Lt. Cmdr. Perkins (uncredited)
*1965: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Harley Lear in S7:E13, "The Meeting"
*1965: ''[[Rawhide (TV series)|Rawhide]]'' – Narbo in S7:E22, "Prairie Fire"
*1965: ''[[The Sandpiper]]'' - Trooper (uncredited)
*1965: ''[[The Sandpiper]]'' - Trooper (uncredited)
*1965: ''[[Zebra in the Kitchen]]'' - Zookeeper (uncredited)
*1965: ''[[Zebra in the Kitchen]]'' - Zookeeper (uncredited)
*1965: ''[[The Cincinnati Kid]]'' - Poker Player (uncredited)
*1965: ''[[The Cincinnati Kid]]'' - Poker Player (uncredited)
*1965: ''Day of the Nightmare'' - Dr. Philip Crane
*1965: ''[[Day of the Nightmare]]'' - Dr. Philip Crane
*1966: ''[[Hold On! (film)|Hold On!]]'' - Detective
*1966: ''[[Hold On! (film)|Hold On!]]'' - Detective
*1966: ''[[Django spara per primo]]'' - (English version)
*1966: ''[[Django spara per primo]]'' - (English version)
Line 155: Line 166:
*1978: ''[[Invisible Strangler]]'' - Harbormaster
*1978: ''[[Invisible Strangler]]'' - Harbormaster
*1978: ''[[Cheerleaders Beach Party]]'' - Mr. Langley
*1978: ''[[Cheerleaders Beach Party]]'' - Mr. Langley
*1981: ''[[The Greatest American Hero]]'' (TV Series) - Lone Ranger
*1978: ''[[CHiPs|Chips]]'' (TV series~S2 ep13) - boat owner
*1981: ''[[The Greatest American Hero]]'' (TV Series) - Himself
*1981: ''[[The Legend of the Lone Ranger]]'' - Lucas Striker
*1981: ''[[The Legend of the Lone Ranger]]'' - Lucas Striker
*1982: ''[[Happy Days]]'' (TV Series) - Lone Ranger (final appearance)
*1982: ''[[Happy Days]]'' (TV Series) - Lone Ranger (final appearance)
Line 165: Line 177:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Find a Grave|42281771|John Hart}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0366359|name=John Hart}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0366359|name=John Hart}}
*[http://members.tripod.com/~JohnHart/pickeringhawkeye.html Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans Page]
*[http://members.tripod.com/~JohnHart/pickeringhawkeye.html Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans Page]


{{s-start}}
{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Acting roles}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Clayton Moore]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[The Lone Ranger]] actor | years=1952 &ndash; '53}}
{{s-aft | after=Clayton Moore}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Michael Rye]]}}
{{s-ttl | title=The Lone Ranger actor | years=1981}}
{{s-aft | after=[[Klinton Spilsbury]]}}
{{s-bef | before=Klinton Spilsbury}}
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Latest revision as of 10:57, 18 October 2024

This article is about the American cinema actor. For other people with the same name, see John Hart (disambiguation).
John Hart
John Hart in Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans 1957
Born
John Lewis Hart

(1917-12-13)December 13, 1917[citation needed]
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 20, 2009(2009-09-20) (aged 91)
Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico
Other namesJohn Hilton
OccupationActor
Years active1937–1982
Spouse
Beryl Braithwaite
​
​
(m. 1957⁠–⁠2009)​
Children1

John Lewis Hart (December 13, 1917 – September 20, 2009), also credited as John Hilton, was an American film and television actor. In his early career, Hart appeared mostly in westerns. Although Hart played mostly minor roles in some fairly well known films, he was probably best known for playing the character Hawkeye in the TV series Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans and replacing Clayton Moore in the television series The Lone Ranger for one season (1952–53).

Career

[edit]

Hart began his screen career in 1937 with a bit part in Daughter of Shanghai. He continued in a variety of B pictures such as Prison Farm and King of Alcatraz before appearing in two of Cecil B. DeMille's films The Buccaneer (1938) and North West Mounted Police (1940). In 1941, Hart's acting career was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army. He rose to the rank of first sergeant in the Coast Artillery and eventually served in the Philippines.[1] Following his military service, Hart worked frequently for Sam Katzman; he was given the lead role in the Jack Armstrong (1947) film serial. Hart did stunt work and acted in numerous westerns.

Hart was eventually offered the opportunity to replace Clayton Moore on The Lone Ranger television series. Based on the assumption that the masked character, rather than the actor, was the true star of The Lone Ranger, the program's producers fired Moore (presumably over salary differences) and replaced him with Hart, who was of a similar build and had a comparable background in Westerns.[2] However, the public never truly accepted Hart as the Lone Ranger (his speaking voice was significantly different from Moore's), and by 1954 the producers returned Moore to the role. According to Clayton Moore's autobiography I Was That Masked Man, Moore never knew why he was replaced by Hart, and also stated that he had not sought a pay increase. Hart acted in minor roles in two episodes of The Lone Ranger before being asked to replace Clayton Moore for the entire third season. The episodes were "Rifles and Renegades" (#34) and "Sheriff at Gunstock" (#46).

Hart continued to act in films for more than two decades, appearing in films of several genres, almost always in supporting roles. Hart appeared twice on the TV series I Love Lucy as Lucy's old boyfriend and again in the Hollywood episodes as a lifeguard at the hotel pool. In 1955, Hart starred in the serial The Adventures of Captain Africa, which was originally intended to be a new movie about famous comic book hero The Phantom. However, licensing issues forced Columbia Pictures to re-film the entire serial and re-christen the hero "Captain Africa."[3] Hart also had numerous supporting roles in the Highway Patrol TV series. Interviewed by Tom Weaver in "Western Clippings" magazine (May–June 2000), Hart revealed that he met actress Beryl Braithwaite when she played a role in an episode of the series; they married just days later, with "Hawkeye" co-star Lon Chaney Jr., the best man at the wedding.

In 1965 Hart made two brief appearances on the TV series Perry Mason, including the role of title character and murder victim Jamison Selff in "The Case of the Wrathful Wraith." In the 1970 film The Phynx, Hart played the Lone Ranger alongside Jay Silverheels as Tonto, spoofing their characters. Hart's last theatrical film appearance was in 1981's The Legend of the Lone Ranger in which he appeared as a newspaper editor. He appeared in the television series Happy Days as the Lone Ranger in the episode "Hi Yo, Fonzie Away" (February 9, 1982). In this episode Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, meets his childhood hero, the Lone Ranger, for his birthday. Hart's other major late appearance was in an episode of The Greatest American Hero, "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys", in which Hart gives the title character an inspiring speech about heroism.

Personal life and death

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Hart was born in Los Angeles. His mother was named Enid, and he had a sister, Shari.[4] Hart attended South Pasadena High School and later studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.[5] He and his wife Beryl had a daughter, Robyn. On September 20, 2009, Hart died from complications of dementia at his home in Playas de Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico at the age of 91. His ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.[3]

Selected filmography

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Giesea, Roberta (2000). "The Lone Ranger Comes to Rosarito". Baja Times. Baja California, Mexico. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  2. ^ McLellan, Dennis (June 12, 1993). "After 60 Years, the Lone Ranger Still Lives". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  3. ^ a b McLellan, Dennis (September 29, 2009). "John Hart dies 91". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  4. ^ "(photo caption)". Films of the Golden Age (81): 53. Summer 2015.
  5. ^ Eskander, Bruce. "John Lewis Hart (Deceased), South Pasadena, CA California last lived in San Ysidro, CA". www.sphsaa.org. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
[edit]
Acting roles
Preceded by The Lone Ranger actor
1952 – '53 		Succeeded by
Clayton Moore
Preceded by The Lone Ranger actor
1981 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Klinton Spilsbury
 The Lone Ranger actor
1982 		Succeeded by
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