| Vince Collins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vince Collins | |
| Series: | The Lone Ranger |
| Gender: | Male |
| Notability: | Antagonist |
| Occupation: | Outlaw |
| Location: | Texas |
| Status: | Deceased |
| First: | "Enter the Lone Ranger" |
| Final: | "The Lone Ranger Fights On" |
| Actor: | George J. Lewis |
Vince Collins was a fictional scout and outlaw featured in the 1949-1957 ABC television series The Lone Ranger. He was played by actor George J. Lewis.
Biography
Vince Collins was a Mexican-American scout who lived in the Texas region during the 1880s. He was an associate of a gang of outlaws known as the Cavendish gang, led by Butch Cavendish. Vince notified a group of Texas Rangers concerning the supposed whereabouts of the Cavendish gang, but in truth, he was baiting them into a trap. Six rangers rode out into the Texas canyon where Butch and his men lied in wait. They ambushed the men, shooting all six, including Captain Dan Reid and his brother John Reid. Butch was an efficient killer, and didn't believe in leaving behind any loose ends. Citing how Vince's betrayal of the rangers made him untrustworthy, he shot him in the back and left him for dead. What Vince didn't realize, was that one of the rangers had miraculously survived. He was nursed back to health by a Native American man named Tonto and would go on to become the masked lawman, the Lone Ranger.
Notes & Trivia
- The character of Vince Collins was created by George W. Trendle and director George B. Seitz, Jr. based on concepts originally developed by Fran Striker.
- In "Enter the Lone Ranger", his character is identified by Butch Cavendish only as Collins. His first name is revealed in "The Lone Ranger Fights On".
- Actor George J. Lewis also appeared in The Lone Ranger episode "Pay Dirt", where he played Sam Hovey, "Trouble at Black Rock", where he played a character named McCarty and "The Return of Pedro O'Sullivan", where he played a henchman named José.
- George J. Lewis is best known for playing the role of Don Alejandro de la Vega, father of Don Diego de la Vega - better known as Zorro in the Walt Disney Company television series of the same name. As such, George Lewis plays a major role in the formation of two of the most infamous pop culture icons of the Western genre.