West Seattle High School alumnus worked with Lone Ranger, Tonto, now portrays George Washington
Most West Seattle High School students spend their summers hanging around town. Some lucky teens go to Europe. Many go hiking or camping. Les White, however, went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to act with the Lone Ranger and Tonto at age 15.
White, 71, who grew up at 55th and Charlestown, was a stuntman and extra on that TV classic, and hung out with Clayton Moore, the legendary man behind the black mask, and his partner, Jay Silverheels.
"Clay was afraid of the horse," recalled White, now an Enumclaw resident, referring to Mr. Moore. "In the very opening scene of the Lone Ranger show he was on (his horse) Silver on top of the hill. That was really his stunt double Wayne Burson and his stunt horse. Wayne did all the horse riding. I have some pictures of Clay on the horse where the horse is nervous with his head bobbing, and Clay looks scared to death."
Perhaps listening to the William Tell Overture play in the background gave Moore some true grit.
Burson was a stunt double for Henry Fond, Glenn Ford, and Ronald Reagan in "Cattle Queen of Montana".