Trinidad Silva, Jr. (January 30, 1950 – July 31, 1988) was an American comedian and character actor who played small supporting roles in a number of films of the 1980s.

Trinidad Silva
Trinidad Silva in UHF (1989)
Born
Trinidad Silva, Jr.

(1950-01-30)January 30, 1950
DiedJuly 31, 1988(1988-07-31) (aged 38)
OccupationActor
Years active1977–1988

He is known for the roles of Jesus Martinez, a gang leader in the TV series Hill Street Blues; Frog in the film Colors; and Raul, the bizarre animal lover in "Weird" Al Yankovic's first film, UHF.

Biography

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Silva was born in Mission, Texas.

Death

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Silva died at the age of 38 in a car crash with a drunken driver in Whittier, California. His wife and toddler son were also injured. Douglas Robert Owens pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving, and hit-and-run charges. Owens was sentenced to 10 years in state prison, which was the maximum allowed under the law.[1]

Silva’s death occurred during production of the 1989 "Weird Al" Yankovic film UHF.[2] Parts of the film had to be rewritten since he had not finished filming his part. The film was dedicated to his memory.

He is buried at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California.[3]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1977 Alambrista! Joe
1979 Walk Proud Dagger
1979 The Jerk Punk ("Mr. Nussbaum")
1982 National Lampoon's Movie Madness Carlos - 'Growing Yourself'
1983 Second Thoughts Latino #1
1983 El Norte Monte
1984 Crackers Ramon
1987 Jocks Chito
1988 The Milagro Beanfield War Milagro townsperson
1988 The Night Before Tito
1988 Colors Leo "Frog" Lopez
1989 UHF Raul Hernandez Final film role.
Dedicated to his memory.

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1977 Baretta Harold 1 episode
1977 Police Story Chicano #3 1 episode
1977 Visions Domingo 1 episode
1979 Visions Joe 1 episode
1979 The White Shadow Julio 1 episode
1981 Lou Grant Venice Knights gangleader 1 episode
1981–1987 Hill Street Blues Jesus Martinez guest star
28 episodes
1981 Barney Miller Puente 1 episode
1982 T. J. Hooker Ramon Cruz 1 episode
1984 Maximum Security Puck pilot only
1986 Stir Crazy Juan 1 episode
1986 Hunter Hector Rivas 1 episode
1988 Stones for Ibarra Basilio Garcia TV movie
1988 Home Free Eddie Fuentes TV movie

References

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  1. ^ "Driver in Crash That Killed Actor Trinidad Silva Given 10 Years". AP News Service. October 5, 1988. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  2. ^ Malnic, Eric (August 2, 1988). "Actor Trinidad Silva, 38, Dies in Collision". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  3. ^ "'Hill Street Blues' Actor Remembered As Spiritual Man". AP News Service. August 6, 1988. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
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