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. January 30, 1950 Mission, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 31, 1988 (aged 38) Whittier, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1977–1988 |
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
editSilva was born in Mission, Texas.
Death
editSilva 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
editFilm
edit| 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
edit| 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
edit- ^ "Driver in Crash That Killed Actor Trinidad Silva Given 10 Years". AP News Service. October 5, 1988. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ Malnic, Eric (August 2, 1988). "Actor Trinidad Silva, 38, Dies in Collision". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
- ^ "'Hill Street Blues' Actor Remembered As Spiritual Man". AP News Service. August 6, 1988. Retrieved May 3, 2020.