In Memoriam: John Hart
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Special thanks to writer, Scoop contributor and western historian Tim Lasiuta for sending in this story.
John Hart (1917-2009), the man known as the “other” Lone Ranger, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2009 with his family at his side.
His long career in films began in the Cecil B DeMille production of The Bucaneer in 1938. Playing bit parts until his enlistment in the War in 1941, he returned to Hollywood and won the role of Jack Armstrong in 1947 for Jack Armstrong: The All-American Boy. The departure of Clayton Moore from the Lone Ranger TV series led to his being cast in 1953 as the Masked Man for 54 episodes. With the return of Moore, he continued to act on television in the highly popular Hawkeye and The Last of the Mohicans with Lon Chaney.
A 1955 Columbia serial cast him as Captain Africa, which originally was written as a Phantom project. He continued to act until 1982, with his last two appearances as the Lone Ranger on Happy Days and The Greatest American Superhero.
Behind the scenes he worked on QuincyM.E. (which starred Jack Klugman), and produced educational films.
The last years of his life were spent in Rosarita, New Mexico overlooking the beach he surfed as a young man.
In addition to his wife of 52 years, Beryl, Hart is survived by his daughter, Robyn Proiette.
Donations may be made to Rancho Del Nino Nueva Vida, a Rosarito Beach-area orphanage, through Cha Cha's Angels at www.rosaritoangels.org.
Rest well, John Hart.
