JH
John Hart
Actor, Producer
Born December 13, 1917Died September 20, 2009 (91 years)
John Lewis Hart, 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 having replaced Clayton Moore in 1952 in the television series, The Lone Ranger for one season from 1952 until 1953.
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 and North West Mounted Police. 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. Following his military service, Hart worked frequently for Sam Katzman; he was given the lead role in the Jack Armstrong 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. 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 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." Hart also had numerous supporting roles in the Highway Patrol TV series. 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". 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, where Hart gives the title character an inspiring speech about heroism.
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 and North West Mounted Police. 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. Following his military service, Hart worked frequently for Sam Katzman; he was given the lead role in the Jack Armstrong 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. 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 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." Hart also had numerous supporting roles in the Highway Patrol TV series. 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". 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, where Hart gives the title character an inspiring speech about heroism.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Filmography
| 1981 | The Legend of the Lone Ranger · as Lucas Striker |
| 1981 | The Greatest American Hero (TV Series) · as Lone Ranger |
| 1978 | The Gift of Love · as Justice Of The Peace |
| 1978 | Cheerleaders Beach Party · as Mr. Langley |
| 1978 | Dallas (TV Series) · as Senator Carson |
| 1978 | The Astral Factor · as Harbormaster |
| 1977 | CHiPs (TV Series) · as Boat Owner |
| 1977 | John Hus · as Theologian |
| 1976 | Blood Voyage · as Jules |
| 1975 | Gemini Affair: A Diary · as Bob |
| 1975 | Barbary Coast (TV Series) · as Jim |
| 1974 | Only with Married Men · as Minister |
| 1974 | The Great Ice Rip-Off · as Klein Salesman |
| 1974 | Get Christie Love (TV Series) · as Sgt. Mallory |
| 1974 | The Centerfold Girls · as Sheriff (segment "the First Story") |
| 1974 | Happy Days (TV Series) · as Lone Ranger |
| 1973 | Welcome to Arrow Beach · as Doctor |
| 1973 | Santee · as Cobbles |
| 1973 | Blackenstein · as Dr. Stein |
| 1973 | The Roommates · as Sam - Sheriff |
| 1972 | Bonnie's Kids · as Sheriff With Sunglasses |
| 1972 | Hec Ramsey (TV Series) · as Nathaniel Ridpath |
| 1971 | Simon, King of the Witches · as Doctor |
| 1970 | The Phynx · as The Lone Ranger |
| 1968 | Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? · as Policeman |
| 1967 | Judd for the Defense (TV Series) · as Jury Foreman |
| 1967 | The Fastest Guitar Alive · as Mint Guard |
| 1967 | Riot on Sunset Strip · as Pritchard |
| 1966 | Django Shoots First · as (english Version) |
| 1966 | Hold On! · as Detective #2 |
| 1966 | Daktari (TV Series) · as Dr. Harbison |
| 1965 | The Cincinnati Kid · as Poker Player |
| 1965 | Day of the Nightmare · as Dr. Philip Crane |
| 1965 | The Sandpiper · as Trooper |
| 1965 | Zebra in the Kitchen · as Zookeeper |
| 1964 | 36 Hours · as Lt. Cmdr. Perkins |
| 1964 | The Addams Family (TV Series) · as Scotty |
| 1964 | Marnie · as Dr. Gilliat - Minister |
| 1964 | Viva Las Vegas · as Casino Patron |
| 1964 | Mondo Inferno · as Commentator |
| 1963 | Captain Newman, M.D. · as Officer |
| 1963 | The Lieutenant (TV Series) · as Capt. Adam Quincy |
| 1963 | The Man from the Diners' Club · as Motorcycle Patrolman |
| 1963 | It Happened at the World's Fair · as Cast |
| 1963 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father · as State Trooper |
| 1962 | Billy Rose's Jumbo · as Marshall |
| 1962 | Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol · as Billings |
| 1962 | The Horizontal Lieutenant · as Lieutenant |
| 1961 | Frontier Circus (TV Series) · as Deputy Fred |
| 1961 | Ben Casey (TV Series) · as Salesman |
| 1961 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) · as Policeman |
| 1961 | Ada · as Politician At Rally |
| 1961 | Atlantis: The Lost Continent · as Nobleman |
| 1961 | Go Naked in the World · as Club Doorman |
| 1961 | Gunslinger (TV Series) · as Corporal |
| 1960 | Maigret (1960) (TV Series) · as Character In Corridor |
| 1960 | The Case of the Dangerous Robin (TV Series) · as Pilot |
| 1960 | Outlaws (TV Series) · as Robber Chief |
| 1960 | Pete and Gladys (TV Series) · as Mervin |
| 1960 | National Velvet (TV Series) · as Doc Loomis |
| 1960 | Bells Are Ringing · as Party Guest |
| 1960 | The Subterraneans · as Cop |
| 1960 | Noose for a Gunman · as Dave Barker - Avery Gunman |
| 1959 | Vice Raid · as Final Thug At Malone's Office |
| 1959 | Shotgun Slade (TV Series) · as Deputy Frank |
| 1959 | World of Giants (TV Series) · as Hood |
| 1959 | Inside the Mafia · as State Trooper |
| 1959 | The Diary of a High School Bride · as Policeman |
| 1959 | The Shaggy Dog · as Police Broadcaster |
| 1959 | Rawhide (TV Series) · as Narbo |
| 1958 | Cimarron City (TV Series) · as Masters' Henchman |
| 1958 | Bat Masterson (TV Series) · as Wilson |
| 1958 | The Ann Sothern Show (TV Series) · as Kendall |
| 1958 | Rescue 8 (TV Series) · as Mister Thomas |
| 1957 | Perry Mason (TV Series) · as Dion |
| 1957 | Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) · as Construction Worker |
| 1957 | Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (TV Series) · as Hawkeye |
| 1957 | Tales of Wells Fargo (TV Series) · as Weaver |
| 1956 | The Ten Commandments · as Cretan Ambassador |
| 1955 | The Crooked Web · as Charlie Holt |
| 1955 | |
| 1955 | Highway Patrol (1955) (TV Series) · as Sergeant |
| 1955 | Sergeant Preston of the Yukon (TV Series) · as Mort Elborn |
| 1955 | Tales of the Texas Rangers (TV Series) · as Sam Crane |
| 1955 | Adventures of Captain Africa: Mighty Jungle Avenger! · as Captain Africa |
| 1955 | Damon Runyon Theater (TV Series) · as Dr. Robert Steele |
| 1955 | Dial Red O · as Uniformed Deputy |
| 1954 | The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (TV Series) · as Jim Huston |
| 1953 | The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd · as Jenkins |
| 1953 | Prince of Pirates · as Captain Of The Guards |
| 1953 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) · as Soldier #1 |
| 1952 | The Pathfinder · as British Sergeant |
| 1952 | The Golden Hawk · as Pirate Helmsman |
| 1952 | Ford Theatre: All Star Theatre (TV Series) · as Lester Worth |
| 1952 | This Is The Life (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1952 | Caribbean · as Stuart |
| 1952 | Kansas Territory · as U.s. Marshal Matt Furness |
| 1952 | Wild Stallion · as Cavalry Corporal |
| 1952 | Thief of Damascus · as Soldier |
| 1952 | Gang Busters (TV Series) · as Twa Capt. Hobart |
| 1952 | Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land · as Commissioner's Secretary |
| 1952 | Waco · as Texas Ranger Carmody |
| 1952 | Aladdin and His Lamp · as Gate Guard |
| 1952 | Texas City · as 1st Sergeant |
| 1952 | The Living Bible (TV Series) · as Matthew |
| 1951 | The Wild Blue Yonder · as General |
| 1951 | The Longhorn · as Moresby |
| 1951 | Warpath · as Sgt. Plennert |
| 1951 | I Love Lucy (TV Series) · as Jim Stevens |
| 1951 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1951 | The Red Skelton Show (TV Series) · as Expectant Father -- Silent Spot |
| 1951 | Sky King (TV Series) · as Blake |
| 1951 | Fury of the Congo · as Guard |
| 1951 | Belle Le Grand · as Man |
| 1950 | Pirates of the High Seas · as Jenkins |
| 1950 | Chain Gang · as Chain Gang Member |
| 1950 | The Jack Benny Program (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1950 | Hot Rod · as Policeman |
| 1950 | State Penitentiary · as Sandy' Ohara - Convict |
| 1950 | Atom Man vs. Superman · as Henchman In Car |
| 1950 | Champagne for Caesar · as Executive No. 4 |
| 1949 | Cowboy and the Prizefighter · as Mark Palmer |
| 1949 | The Fighting Redhead · as Faro Savage |
| 1949 | The Lone Ranger (TV Series) · as The Lone Ranger |
| 1949 | El Paso · as Mr. Ritter |
| 1949 | Special Agent · as Ranch Foreman Frank Kent |
| 1949 | Batman and Robin · as John Hench |
| 1948 | The Plunderers · as Tom Powers |
| 1948 | A Southern Yankee · as Orderly |
| 1948 | The Velvet Touch · as Partygoer |
| 1948 | I Love Trouble · as Police Detective |
| 1947 | Brick Bradford · as Dent [ch. 1-6, 9-15] |
| 1947 | Last of the Redmen · as British Sergeant |
| 1947 | The Vigilantes Return · as Henchman |
| 1947 | Jack Armstrong · as Jack Armstrong |
| 1947 | Vacation Days · as Big Jim |
| 1940 | North West Mounted Police · as Constable Norman |
| 1939 | $1000 a Touchdown · as Buck |
| 1939 | Million Dollar Legs · as Haldeman |
| 1939 | Persons in Hiding · as Male Stenographer |
| 1939 | Disbarred · as First Reporter |
| 1938 | Illegal Traffic · as Davis |
| 1938 | King of Alcatraz · as 1st Radio Operator |
| 1938 | Dangerous to Know · as Undetermined Secondary Role |
| 1938 | Prison Farm · as 'texas' Jack |
| 1938 | Hunted Men · as Young Man At Party |
| 1938 | Tip-Off Girls · as Truck Driver |
| 1938 | The Buccaneer · as Cast |
| 1937 | Daughter of Shanghai · as Sailor |