Stars & Players · Biography

Howard Da Silva

1909–1986 · Actor

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.

Notable Noir Roles

The Blue Dahlia

1946Dir. George Marshall · Eddie Harwood

Soon after a veteran returns from war, his cheating wife is found dead. He evades police in an attempt to find the real murderer.

Border Incident

1949Dir. Anthony Mann · Owen Parkson

The story concerns two agents, one Mexican (PJF) and one American, who are tasked to stop the smuggling of Mexican migrant workers across the border to California. The two agents go undercover, one as…

M

1951Dir. Joseph Losey · Inspector Carney

Remake of the 1931 Fritz Lang original. In the city, someone is murdering children. The Police search is so intense, it is disturbing the 'normal' criminals, and the local hoods decide to help find th…

Full Noir Filmography

3 films · 1946–1951