Chief Thundercloud

Short Biography

Victor Daniels was given the title of "Chief" in an honorary capacity and identified himself as Cherokee. His application for a social security number lists his birth date as April 12, 1899 and his birthplace as Arizona. Thundercloud was the first of nine children born to Jesus Daniels and Tomaca Daniels (as indicated on his social security application). Raised on a ranch in Arizona, he was educated at the University of Arizona at Tucson where he excelled not only scholastically but in athletics (football, boxing). He worked in cattle ranches and rodeos in addition as a mining foreman, boxer and guide before entering movies as a stuntman in 1929.Thundercloud eventually earned screen credit for his Indian tribe members and chiefs, typecast more as evil than good. He is best known, however, for his creating the role of faithful sidekick "Tonto" in the serial The Lone Ranger (1938) and its sequel The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939). He also played the title role of Paramount Pictures' Geronimo (1939). He died at age 56 following surgery for stomach cancer in Ventura County, California on November 30, 1955. He was survived by wife Frances, a former singer, and their two children.