Born: May 4, 1909 – Died: February 16, 1986
Howard Da Silva, born in Cleveland, Ohio, was an exceptional actor who experienced the devastating effects of the Hollywood blacklisting during the 1950s. Once a steelworker, Da Silva embarked on a stage career in New York at the age of 20, eventually making a name for himself on Broadway. He later transitioned to Hollywood, where he emerged as a beloved character actor. However, his career came to an abrupt halt when he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and subsequently blacklisted. Despite the setback, Da Silva persevered and made a triumphant return to both film and television after the blacklist was lifted in the early 1960s. He left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, marked by his unforgettable performance in the Broadway production of "Oklahoma!" in 1943. Howard Da Silva's journey is a testament to his resilience and dedication to his craft.
Early Life and Career
Da Silva's career in the entertainment industry began on the stage in New York, where he gained recognition and made a name for himself in Broadway productions before transitioning to Hollywood.
However, Da Silva's most significant and memorable performance came in the 1943 Broadway production of "Oklahoma!" This role had a profound impact on his career and solidified his reputation as a talented and versatile actor.
While Da Silva had a successful career in Hollywood as a character actor, appearing in numerous films, TV series, and stage productions, he faced a major setback when he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the 1950s blacklisting era. He refused to cooperate with the committee and subsequently found himself blacklisted by Hollywood studios.
Nevertheless, Da Silva persisted and was able to make a triumphant return to the industry after the blacklist was lifted in the early 1960s. He continued to work in both film and television, showcasing his exceptional talent and versatility.
Howard Da Silva's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry cannot be understated. Despite the challenges he faced due to the blacklist, Da Silva left an indelible mark through his remarkable performances and his resilience in the face of adversity. He is remembered as a talented character actor who brought depth and authenticity to his roles, making him a respected figure in the industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Garbo Talks | Angelo Dokakis |
| 1984 | American Playhouse (TV Series) | Critic |
| 1983 | Masquerade (TV Series) | General Brezhnin |
| 1983 | Archie Bunker's Place (TV Series) | Abe Rabinowitz |
| 1981 | Mommie Dearest | L.B. Mayer |
| 1981 | The Greatest Man in the World (TV Movie) | Conklin (as Howard DaSilva) |
| 1980 | Power (TV Movie) | Jack Eisenstadt |
| 1978 | Great Performances (TV Series) | Eddie |
| 1977 | The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover | Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| 1977 | Insight (TV Series) | Arnstein |
| 1976 | The American Parade (TV Mini Series) | Boss Tweed |
| 1976 | When the Boat Comes In (TV Series) | Host - US broadcast (1978) |
| 1974 | The Missiles of October (TV Movie) | Nikita Khrushchev - Soviet Premier |
| 1974 | The Great Gatsby | Meyer Wolfsheim |
| 1974 | Smile Jenny, You're Dead (TV Movie) | Lt. Humphrey Kenner |
| 1973 | Kung Fu (TV Series) | Otto Schultz (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1973 | Love, American Style (TV Series) | Doctor Wazanskyi (segment "Love and the End of the Line") |
| 1776 | Unknown | Unknown |
| 1972 | Dr. Benjamin Franklin (PA) | Unknown |
| 1972 | Keep the Faith (TV Movie) | Rabbi Mossman |
| 1968 | Mannix (TV Series) | Aram Karmalis |
| 1967 | James Bond 'Oddjob' Vicks Formula 44 Television Commercial (Video) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1967 | Gentle Ben (TV Series) | Phillip Garrett |
| 1967 | N.Y.P.D. (TV Series) | Dimitchik |
| 1966 | The Fugitive (TV Series) | Pete Dawes |
| 1966 | Nevada Smith | Warden |
| 1966 | The Loner (TV Series) | Kyle Merrick |
| 1966 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) | Captain Basil Calhoun |
| 1965 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Cantor Nathan Birnbaum | Ulysses Pagoras |
| 1965 | For the People (TV Series) | Anthony Celese |
| 1964 | Hamlet | Claudius |
| 1964 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Thurman Cutler (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1963–1964 | The Defenders (TV Series) | Arnold Fermuller | Peter Cole |
| 1964 | The Outrage | Prospector |
| 1963 | The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) | Dr. McClendon |
| 1963 | East Side/West Side (TV Series) | Wallace Mapes (as Howard DaSilva) |
| 1962 | Quest (TV Series) | Krawetz |
| 1962 | David and Lisa | Dr. Alan Swinford |
| 1961 | Festival (TV Series) | The Swede |
| 1959 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Dupont-Dufour Sr. |
| 1951 | The Bigelow Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | M | Inspector Carney |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Deputy Police Chief Moskar (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1950 | Three Husbands | Dan McCabe |
| 1950 | Tripoli | Capt. Demetrios |
| 1950 | Wyoming Mail | Cavanaugh (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1950 | The Underworld Story | Carl Durham (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1950 | The Silver Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1949 | Border Incident | Owen Parkson |
| 1949 | The Great Gatsby | Wilson |
| 1948 | They Live by Night | Chickamaw |
| 1947 | Unconquered | Garth (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1947 | Variety Girl | Howard Da Silva |
| 1947 | Blaze of Noon | Mike Gafferty (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1946 | The Blue Dahlia | Eddie Harwood |
| 1946 | Two Years Before the Mast | Captain Francis A. Thompson |
| 1945 | The Lost Weekend | Nat |
| 1945 | Duffy's Tavern | Tough Guy |
| 1944 | Five Were Chosen | Unknown |
| 1943 | Tonight We Raid Calais | Sgt. Block |
| 1942 | Keeper of the Flame | Jason Rickards (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1942 | Reunion in France | Anton Stregel (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1942 | The Omaha Trail | Ben Santley |
| 1942 | The Big Shot | Sandor |
| 1942 | Juke Girl | Cully (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1942 | Native Land | Jim - informant (as Howard DaSylva) |
| 1942 | Bullet Scars | Frank Dillon |
| 1942 | Wild Bill Hickok Rides | Ringo - the Prosecutor (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1941 | Steel Against the Sky | Bugs (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1941 | At the Stroke of Twelve (Short) | Angie the Ox (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1941 | Blues in the Night | Sam Paryas |
| 1941 | Nine Lives Are Not Enough | J.B. Murray - City Editor (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1941 | Navy Blues | Last Shore Patrolman (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Three Sons o' Guns | Radio Announcer (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Bad Men of Missouri | Greg Bilson (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1941 | Sergeant York | Lem (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1941 | Strange Alibi | Monson |
| 1941 | The Sea Wolf | Harrison |
| 1941 | The Dog in the Orchard (Short) | Foster |
| 1940 | I'm Still Alive | Red Garvey (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1940 | Abe Lincoln in Illinois | Jack Armstrong (as Howard da Silva) |
| 1938 | Marie Antoinette | Toulon (uncredited) |
| 1935 | Once in a Blue Moon | (uncredited) |
General:
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