Chief Thundercloud, (born Victor Daniels, April 12, 1899 – December 1, 1955) was an American character actor in westerns.
Information about Thundercloud is vague. Most biographies state that he was a full blooded Cherokee (or Muskogee), although others state that he had some German, Scottish and/or Irish ancestors; and that he was educated at the University of Arizona, although no record exists of his enrollment. The pressbook for The Lone Ranger Rides Again announced his parents as "Dark Cloud and Morning Star, aristocrats of the Muskogee tribe" but his death certificate lists his father as "Joseph Mahawa."
Daniels worked many jobs before becoming a stuntman. From there he graduated to character actor status. His title "Chief" was a Hollywood invention. He had the title role in Geronimo (1939) and played Tonto in both Republic Lone Ranger serials, The Lone Ranger (1938) and The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939).
In later years, he worked with other western actors, performing in live shows at the Corriganville Ranch.
Famous quotes containing the word chief:
“I was not content to believe in a personal devil and serve him, in the ordinary sense of the word. I wanted to get hold of him personally and become his chief of staff.”
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