<Tr> <Th> Audio format </Th> <Td> Monaural </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Original release </Th> <Td> September 15, 1949 (1949 - 09 - 15)--June 6, 1957 (1957 - 06 - 06) </Td> </Tr> <P> The Lone Ranger is an American western drama television series that aired on the ABC Television network from 1949 to 1957, with Clayton Moore in the starring role . Jay Silverheels, a member of the Mohawk Aboriginal people in Canada, played The Lone Ranger's Native American companion Tonto . </P> <P> John Hart replaced Moore in the title role from 1952 to 1954 due to a contract dispute . Fred Foy, who had been both narrator and announcer of the radio series from 1948 until its ending, was the announcer . Gerald Mohr was originally employed as the narrator for the television series, but story narration was dropped after 16 episodes . The Lone Ranger was the highest - rated television program on ABC in the early 1950s and its first true "hit". The series finished #7 in the Nielsen ratings for the 1950 - 1951 season, #18 for 1951 - 1952 and #29 for 1952 - 1953 . </P>

Who played the lone ranger in the original tv series