From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henry Silva (born September 15, 1928) is an actor of Puerto Rican descent who has played a wide variety of movie roles.

Silva quit school when he was 13 years old to attend drama classes, supporting himself as a dishwasher and waiter in a Manhattan hotel.

By 1955, Silva felt ready to audition for the Actors Studio. He was one of five students chosen out of more than 2,500 applicants. When the Studio staged Michael V. Gazzo's play, A Hatful of Rain as a classroom project, it proved so successful that it was presented in Broadway, with students Ben Gazzara, Shelley Winters, Harry Guardino, Tony Franciosa, and Henry Silva in key roles. Silva also appeared in the movie version of the play.

Called to Hollywood, he played a succession of "heavies" in films including The Tall T, The Bravados, Green Mansions, Ocean's Eleven, The Manchurian Candidate, and Johnny Cool. He also did some comedy, including appearing in Jerry Lewis' Cinderfella. An Italian producer made Henry an offer to star as a hero for a change--and he moved his family overseas. Silva's turning-point picture was a spaghetti western, The Hills Run Red, which made him a hot box office commodity in Spain, Italy, Germany, and France. His popularity was enhanced by a flair for the kind of gritty, realistic roles which also catapulted Charles Bronson to European stardom, and a gift for languages. He speaks Italian and Spanish flawlessly.

Returning to the United States, he co-starred with Frank Sinatra in Contract on Cherry Street, then signed on as Buck Rogers' evil adversary. In 1999, he appeared as the sorrowful and doomed mob boss in "Ghost Dog." Silva now calls the San Fernando Valley home, but makes continual film forays back to Europe's production centers. A dedicated jogger, he puts in five miles a day "to keep in shape and relieve tension." He is married and the father of two sons, Michael and Scott.

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

• Henry Silva at the Internet Movie Database