Henry Silva was a prolific character actor known best for playing villains in such movies as “The Manchurian Candidate” and “Johnny Cool.”
- Died: Wednesday, September 14, 2022. (Who else died on September 14?)
- Details of death: Died at the age of 94 or 95, publications are reporting both ages.
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Character Actor
Henry Silva was a New York City native who was a member of the Actors Studio. He made a career out of playing villains and heavies in numerous films. His early films included “The Tall T” with Randolph Scott and “Green Mansions” with Audrey Hepburn. He starred as one of the casino robbing crew under Frank Sinatra’s Danny Ocean in “Ocean’s 11” and starred with Sinatra again in “The Manchurian Candidate” and “Sergeants 3,” that included Dean Martin. He played the lead role in the gangster movie “Johnny Cool” and then became a heroic lead actor in the late 1960s and 1970s in Italy and Europe. He starred in the overseas films “The Hills Run Red,” “Manhunt” and “The Boss.” Back in the states, he showed a humorous side in 1980’s “Cannonball Run 2” and starred in “Above the Law” and “Dick Tracy.”
Notable Quote
‘I think the reason that I haven’t disappeared (as a popular “heavy”) is that the heavies I play are all leaders. I never play a wishy-washy anything. They’re interesting roles, because when you leave the theater, you remember these kinds of guys.’ ” – He told Knight-Ridder journalist Diane Haithman
Tributes to Henry Silva
Full Obituary: Variety
