The Lone Ranger is a western TV series that aired on ABC from 1949 until 1957 about the adventures about a cowboy and 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. This was by far the highest-rated television program on ABC in the early 1950s and its first true "hit".

The Lone RangerJohn Reid had been one of a posse of six Texas Rangers tracking a gang of desperadoes. The Rangers were lured into an ambush in a canyon, and five of them were killed. The sixth, young John Reid, after being left for dead, was found and nursed back to health by a friendly Indian named Tonto. Reid had once helped Tonto and the Indian now vowed to stay with him and the "lone" Ranger sought to avenge the deaths of his comrades. Avenge they did, cornering the outlaw Butch Cavendish in a dramatic battle. Reid buried his past at the graves of the five dead Rangers, donned a mask, and set out with Tonto to avenge wrongs throughout the Old West.

Cast & Characters

  • Clayton Moore as John Reid/The Lone Ranger (1949-1952, 1954-1957)
  • John Hart as John Reid/The Lone Ranger (1952-1954)
  • Jay Silverheels as Tonto
  • Fred Foy as Announcer/Narrator

Broadcast History

First Telecast: September 15, 1949
Last Telecast: June 6, 1957
Network:  ABC
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 221
List of all Lone Ranger episodes
The Lone Ranger Episode Guide
Original Primetime TV Schedule:
  • September 1949- September 1957, Thursday 7:30-8:00pm
  • January 1950- September 1950, Friday 10:00-10:30pm

Theme Song & Opening Intro

"William Tell Overture" by C. Rossini

Watch opening intro:


A fiery horse with the speed of light,
a cloud of dust and a hearty hi-yo Silver!
The Lone Ranger 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!

Listen to theme song:

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The Lone Ranger Photo Gallery

The Lone Ranger Trivia

 Before the TV show, there was a Lone Ranger radio show that aired from January 31, 1933 through September 3, 1954 with a total of more than 1000 episodes! The radio show even continued being broadcast during the first 3 seasons of the TV show!

The Lone Ranger's horse (Silver) and Tonto's horse (Scout) both had the same names on the radio show but Scout's name was never mentioned until the 99th episode!