Howard Da Silva

Biography

Howard da Silva (born Howard Silverblatt, May 4, 1909 – February 16, 1986) was an American actor, director and musical performer on stage, film, television and radio. He was cast in dozens of productions on the New York stage, appeared in more than two dozen television programs, and acted in more than fifty feature films. Adept at both drama and musicals on the stage, he originated the role of Jud Fry in the original 1943 run of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!, and also portrayed the prosecuting attorney in the 1957 stage production of Compulsion. Da Silva was nominated for a 1960 Tony Award as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work in Fiorello!, a musical about New York City mayor LaGuardia. In 1961, da Silva directed Purlie Victorious, by Ossie Davis.

Known For

The Lost Weekend

as Nat the Bartender

The Great Gatsby

as Meyer Wolfsheim

Kung Fu

Sergeant York

as Lem

Mommie Dearest

as L.B. Mayer

Nevada Smith

as Warden

They Live by Night

as Chicamaw One-Eye Mobley

The Blue Dahlia

as Eddie Harwood

The Outer Limits

as Thurman Cutler (as Howard da Silva)

1776

as Dr. Benjamin Franklin