Johnny Depp as Tonto generates mixed feelings among Native Americans

By Manuel Valdes

Arts & Culture ( 18 )

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

Back to top

Order by Time Order by Popularity

18 Comments

Login to comment

  • 0

    Farmboy

    Tonto seems to be in good hands with Johnny Depp, but the Lone Ranger... come on... the Lone Ranger never needed a shave. This was one of his mysterious qualities. AND he never wore a vest and suitcoat while riding. I hope he hasn't been redefined too much...

  • 1

    SimondB

    No mention of (Hi Ho) Silver?

  • 0

    Ranger_Miffy2

    Depp never ceases to amaze.

  • 3

    Dennis Bauer

    i like Depp, but i agree, tonto should be played by a Native American.

  • -2

    timtak

    Any excuse to wear make up and be camp on screen.

  • -1

    Sylvester Haynes

    Hollywood, up to it's old tricks again...............

  • 4

    Al Stewart

    The crow is overkill.

  • 3

    Penelope de Ruffey

    How is it possible that this article does not mention the native American origins of Depp ? he is half Indian and this is what gives him his particular looks...

  • 0

    Ranger_Miffy2

    Penelope...which tribe, I wonder? That is rather cool news.

  • -1

    Farmboy

    From Wikipedia:

    Depp was born in Owensboro, Kentucky,[2] and raised in Florida, as the youngest of four children of Betty Sue Palmer (née Wells), a waitress, and John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer.[6][7] The two divorced when Johnny was 15.[8][9] Nick Barratt, a researcher for the BBC genealogical TV program Who Do You Think You Are?, stated in 2011 he had traced Depp's family name, Deppes, to 14th-century French Huguenots living in England.[10] Depp has surmised that he is part Native American, saying in 2011, "I guess I have some Native American [in me] somewhere down the line. My great-grandmother was quite a bit of Native American, she grew up Cherokee or maybe Creek Indian. Makes sense in terms of coming from Kentucky, which is rife with Cherokee and Creek."[11

  • 0

    FightingViking

    he would have been more troubled had a Native American taken the role, knowing its history.

    Why?

  • 4

    A+b/a=a/b≡?

    @Farmboy: Can you name the source of the info? I'd like to read it in its entirety, but I can see that, since he surmised and guessed his heritage in 2011, not long before the film release is to be made, it makes it very incredulous.

    Depp has surmised that he is part Native American, saying in 2011, "I guess I have some Native American [in me] somewhere down the line.

  • 3

    INFOWARSJAPAN

    "Native Americans" prefer to be called American Indians. EVERYONE born in the US is a Native American. To call American Indians "Native Americans" is an attempt to erase them from history.

    I have American Indian blood, I've taken classes at university about American Indian culture, history and literature and educated myself further about those subjects. Furthermore, I had friends that were American Indians when I lived in Oregon.

    Americans from India are called Indian Americans, BTW.

  • -1

    Wakarimasen

    Depp is good at stereotypes.

  • 0

    Darren Brannan

    He was great in 'The Brave' let's not overlook that.It isn't as though he has never taken native American roles in the past.

  • -2

    lrodriguezsosa

    Plain old Hollywood racism.

  • 0

    Farmboy

    @Farmboy: Can you name the source of the info?

    A+b/a=a/b≡?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Depp

  • 3

    Lowly

    "Tonto" is a Spanish word that means "idiot". This should have been in the article. Having ppl speak overly broken English, and having all members of some group ONLY speak broken English is really a thin line to tread, in terms of stereotypes. I would not want to go on J tv and be a Gaijin speaking stupid Jpns w/a heavy accent. Charicatures are insulting. Won't know about this movie til I see it, of course. But

    Could they not change the name of the character tho?

    Depp was in another movie w/ American Indians in it, that was really good. "Deadman" by Jarmushc. It was one of the best portrayals of Indians in movies, as far as just existing normally in their culture (It wasn't really about Am-indians, but they were in the story), I highly recommend it. (Depp played not an Indian but a White).

Back to top

Login to leave a comment

OR

More in Arts & Culture

View all

View all

  • Restaurant Service Attendant

    Restaurant Service Attendant
    Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo - マンダリン オリエンタル東京, 東京都
    Salary: 給与についての記載なし

  • In Room Dining Ordertaker

    In Room Dining Ordertaker
    Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo - マンダリン オリエンタル東京, 東京都
    Salary: 給与についての記載なし

  • Housekeeping Coordinator

    Housekeeping Coordinator
    Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo - マンダリン オリエンタル東京, 東京都
    Salary: 給与についての記載なし

  • Conference Service Coordinator (Sales&Marketing)

    Conference Service Coordinator (Sales&Marketing)
    Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo - マンダリン オリエンタル東京, 東京都
    Salary: 給与についての記載なし

  • Spa Concierge

    Spa Concierge
    Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo - マンダリン オリエンタル東京, 東京都
    Salary: 給与についての記載なし