Who was that masked man? It was the Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore) and his trusty Native American sidekick Tonto (Jay Silverheels) who fought outlaws and injustice in the old west from 1949 to 1957. Moore played the role every year except for one when he was replaced by John Hart in a contract dispute for the 1952-53 season. The show was the first western to air on television on a regular basis. Hi-yo Silver! Away!