The release of Disney’s "The Lone Ranger" in 2013 was preceded and followed by considerable discussion, much of it centered on Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the iconic character, Tonto. Depp’s interpretation, intended to be a modern reimagining of the classic sidekick, sparked controversy and debate about cultural representation and authenticity. In response to concerns raised, Disney opted to donate the proceeds from the film’s opening premiere to the American Indian College Fund, establishing a scholarship fund specifically for Native American students. This act of corporate philanthropy was a direct result of the dialogue surrounding Depp’s performance and the broader implications of portraying Native American characters in mainstream media.
The premiere, held on June 22nd at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California, offered tickets priced at $1,000 each. The hefty price tag granted attendees access to a star-studded red carpet event, an exclusive first viewing of "The Lone Ranger," and post-screening access to the park’s attractions, including Cars Land and World of Color. Time Warner Cable streamed the premiere live, extending the reach of the event beyond those physically present. Disney underwrote the entire cost of the premiere, ensuring that 100% of the ticket sales would directly benefit the American Indian College Fund.
The American Indian College Fund is a national non-profit organization that provides scholarships and other support to Native American students pursuing higher education. This donation from Disney aimed to support the education and future success of Native American students, serving as a tangible outcome of the conversations surrounding cultural sensitivity and representation in the film industry.
At the heart of the controversy surrounding Johnny Depp’s Controversial Portrayal of Tonto Prompts Donation from Disney was the perceived inauthenticity of Depp’s character design. In "The Lone Ranger," Tonto is presented as a Comanche Indian. However, Depp’s appearance, featuring striking white face paint and a headdress adorned with a dead crow, deviated significantly from traditional Comanche attire of the Old West era. Rod Pocowatchit, a Comanche Indian writing for the Wichita Eagle newspaper, expressed concern that Depp’s portrayal seemed to prioritize comedic effect over accurate representation. He suggested that the exaggerated elements of the costume implied "ridiculousness for the sake of comedy."
Despite these criticisms, Wallace Coffey, serving his fifth term as tribal Chairman of the Comanche Nation and the great-grandson of Comanche leader Chief Ten Bears, offered a nuanced perspective. Coffey acknowledged that "The Lone Ranger" was not intended to be a documentary about the Comanche Nation, but rather a work of entertainment. He noted that while the film was a modern portrayal of a period piece, Tonto still resembled a true Comanche warrior of the past. Coffey also commented on the language used in the movie, suggesting it was a reasonable portrayal of how Native Americans might have spoken during that era, when English was often a second language.
Coffey further elaborated on the significance of the crow atop Depp’s head. He explained that it reflected a traditional Comanche dance known as the Tuhu Wii, translated as "Black Knife." This was an exclusive warrior society, distinguished by black shawls worn around the waist and painted faces. The dance itself mimicked the crow, which held symbolic importance to the Comanche as a representation of warfare. Coffey emphasized the individuality of Comanche warriors, noting that "each warrior painted their face individually as a reflection of their spirituality and visions, and no one warrior painted their face the same." He himself had participated in the Tuhu Wii dance, serving as a Point-Man.
Depp stated that his inspiration for Tonto’s look came from a contemporary Indian painting by Kirby Sattler. Sattler, however, clarified that his portrait was illustrative of the period but did not depict a real person or a specific tribe. This disconnect between Depp’s artistic inspiration and the historical realities of Comanche culture further fueled the debate surrounding the authenticity of the portrayal.
Ladonna Harris, a Comanche woman and president of Americans for Indian Opportunity, officially adopted Johnny Depp into the Comanche tribe. This act, intended as a gesture of acceptance and cultural exchange, also drew criticism from some quarters. While some saw it as a bridge-building exercise, others felt that it detracted from the need for accurate and respectful representation in media. Depp traveled to the Comanche Nation headquarters in September to complete the adoption ritual. In keeping with Comanche tradition, he was presented to the tribe, and Coffey dressed him in Tuhu Wii-style attire, mirroring his character’s costume in "The Lone Ranger."
Another point of contention was the casting of Depp, a non-Native American actor, in the role of Tonto. Some Native Americans argued that the role should have been given to a Native American actor, providing an opportunity for authentic representation and visibility within the film industry. This issue highlights the ongoing struggle for Native American actors to secure prominent roles in Hollywood and to control their own narratives.
Before Depp, the most well-known actor to play Tonto was Jay Silverheels, a Canadian Mohawk Indian. Silverheels portrayed the character in the long-running television series "The Lone Ranger" in the early 1950s and in two subsequent "Lone Ranger" movies. His portrayal, while groundbreaking at the time, also faced scrutiny in later years for its adherence to certain stereotypes.
The 2013 film, directed by Oscar winner Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, aimed to reimagine the original tale. Armie Hammer co-starred as the Lone Ranger. Unlike previous iterations, the story was primarily told through Tonto’s perspective. This shift in narrative focus placed greater emphasis on Tonto’s character and his relationship with the Lone Ranger. The movie was filmed in part on the Navajo Reservation, and the Navajo Nation offered its approval of the project.
The premiere of "The Lone Ranger" was not the only special screening of the movie. The Comanche Nation hosted another premier prior to the nationwide release on July 3rd. Coffey, who endorsed Depp’s portrayal of Tonto, stated that the special screening was in conjunction with Disney and that tribal leaders from the U.S. and Canada were traveling to Southwest Oklahoma to watch the film and spend the evening with cast members.
Johnny Depp’s Controversial Portrayal of Tonto Prompts Donation from Disney also starred Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson, and Helena Bonham Carter.
Beyond the controversies, the donation from Disney to the American Indian College Fund represents a positive step towards supporting Native American education. It is an acknowledgement of the importance of cultural sensitivity and accurate representation in media and a commitment to supporting the communities that are often affected by stereotypical portrayals. The discussion surrounding Johnny Depp’s Controversial Portrayal of Tonto Prompts Donation from Disney serves as a reminder of the power of media to shape perceptions and the responsibility of filmmakers to engage with cultural issues in a thoughtful and respectful manner.