Johnny Silver

Johnny Silver (born John Silverman; April 16, 1918 – February 1, 2003) was an American actor and singer, best known for playing Benny Southstreet in the musical film Guys and Dolls.

Career Born in East Chicago, Indiana, Silver's performing arts career started early. He sang as a child, and subsequently expanded to acting. His early career involved performing with actor John Raitt at L.A. City College as well as radio work. He also worked as a burlesque comic.

During World War II, Silver was tasked with finding entertainment for the troops, and as a result, he met singer Mario Lanza.

Over the next 40 years, Silver worked prolifically as a character actor in film and on television. His film credits include Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963), The Great Race (1965), Lepke (1975), History of the World, Part I (1981) and Spaceballs (1987). Among his dozens of television credits, he appeared in seven episodes of Make Room for Daddy, 15 episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, six episodes of Mannix and five episodes of The Odd Couple. He also played the parts of Dr Blinky and Ludicrous Lion in H.R. Pufnstuf (Walker Edmiston provided the voices). His final television role was in 1995 in an episode of Seinfeld.

He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance in the 1967 episode of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Free of Charge.

Personal life and death Silver was married to actress Gloria Manos from 1954 until her death in 1993. The couple had two daughters, Stephanie and Jennie.

Silver died of heart and kidney failure on February 1, 2003, at the age of 84.

Partial filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1955 Guys and Dolls Benny Southstreet 1957 Public Pigeon No. One Marvin Uncredited 1963 Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? Charlie 1965 The Great Race Baker Uncredited 1968 The Thomas Crown Affair Bert Uncredited 1968 How Sweet It Is! Zipper Man 1970 Pufnstuf Dr Blinky/Ludicrous Lion 1972 Hammer Tiny 1975 Lepke Schwartz 1981 History of the World, Part I Small Liar – The Roman Empire 1987 Spaceballs Caddy 1991 Shakes the Clown Clown Tailor Television Year Title Role Notes 1950 NBC Television Opera Theatre Various 3 episodes 1954 The Lone Wolf Johnny Fr'Instance Episode: “Skid Row” 1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Fenton Shanks Season 1 Episode 19: "The Derelicts" 1957 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Jerry the Bartender Season 2 Episode 24: "The Cream of the Jest" 1957 The Millionaire Frankie Episode: “The Chris Daniels Story” 1957 Leave it to Beaver Man on Bridge Episode: “The Clubhouse” 1955–57 The Jack Benny Program Various 3 episodes 1957 Date with the Angels Mr Carter Episode: “A Day at the Track” 1958 Bat Masterson Drummer Episode: “Double Trouble in Trinidad” 1959 Bachelor Father Charlie Episode: “Bentley's Economy Wave” 1959 World of Giants Chick Crescent Episode: “Off Beat” 1959–60 The Untouchables Various 2 episodes 1960 M Squad J.C. Grevy Episode: “Needle in a Haystack” 1956–61 Make Room for Daddy Various 7 episodes 1963 The Andy Griffith Show Prothro Hanson Episode: “The Great Filling Station Robbery” 1964 Burke's Law Various 2 episodes 1964 The Rogues Boots Rafferty Episode: “The Personal Touch” 1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Ben Season 3 Episode 10: "Memo from Purgatory" 1961–65 The Joey Bishop Show Various 5 episodes 1963–65 The Dick Van Dyke Show Various 15 episodes 1964–66 The Munsters Various 2 episodes 1966 Bonanza Snowden Episode: “Horse of a Different Hue” 1966 The F.B.I. Various 2 episodes 1966–67 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre Various 2 episodes 1968 Good Morning World John Episode: “Pot Luckless” 1966–68 That Girl Various 3 episodes 1968 Get Smart Jojo Episode: “The Secret of Sam Vittorio” 1969–70 H.R. Pufnstuf Dr Blinky/Ludicrous Lion 17 episodes 1970 The Name of the Game Various 2 episodes 1971 Sarge Freddy Episode: “The Silent Target” 1971 What's a Nice Girl Like You...? Louis TV movie 1962–72 My Three Sons Various 4 episodes 1971–72 Here's Lucy Various 2 episodes 1967–72 Ironside Various 4 episodes 1970–72 McCloud Various 2 episodes 1973 Maude Various 2 episodes (one of which was uncredited) 1969–74 Mannix Various 6 episodes 1970–75 The Odd Couple Various 5 episodes (one of which was uncredited) 1973–75 Adam-12 Various 2 episodes 1973–75 The Streets of San Francisco Various 2 episodes 1974 Kolchak: the Night Stalker Pepe LaRue/Morris Shapiro Episode: “The Spanish Moss Murders” 1978 Columbo Tow Truck Driver Episode: “The Conspirators” 1979 Delta House Pizza Man Episode: “The Blotto Who Came to Dinner” 1980 Barney Miller Kingman Episode: “Homicide Part 1” 1981 Evita Peron Stage Manager TV movie 1984 ABC Weekend Special Leon Episode: “Henry Hamilton Graduate Ghost” 1984 Alice Shorty Episode: “Undercover Mel” 1985 1st & Ten Tinoretto Episode: “Super Bull Sunday” 1986 Matlock Eddie Alonzo Episode: “The Don Part 1” 1986–88 Cagney & Lacey Various 2 episodes 1995 Seinfeld Vendor #1 Episode: “The Understudy”