Napoleon Whiting

Napoleon Whiting (September 21, 1910, Mississippi – October 22, 1984, Los Angeles, California), was an American character actor.

He played many bit parts, often uncredited, as a menial worker such as the African American butler, a stereotypical role. He also appeared as the butler in Giant (1956).

Whiting was best known to television audiences for his work as Silas on The Big Valley, a typecast but highly visible role.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1942 Lucky Ghost The Chauffeur 1942 Professor Creeps Taxicab Driver 1943 Spy Train Club Car Porter 1943 Riding High Red Cap Uncredited 1945 The Falcon in San Francisco Pullman Porter Uncredited 1946 Centennial Summer Red Cap Uncredited 1947 Born to Kill Train Porter Uncredited 1948 The Bride Goes Wild Porter Uncredited 1948 The Big Clock Bootblack Uncredited 1950 A Woman of Distinction Porter Uncredited 1950 Mystery Street Red Cap Uncredited 1950 My Friend Irma Goes West The Waiter Uncredited 1951 The Tall Target Hawker Uncredited 1952 The Narrow Margin Red Cap Uncredited 1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Tony Season 1 Episode 15: "The Big Switch" 1956 Giant Jefferson Swazey 1957 The Tattered Dress Willie, The Porter Uncredited 1957 The Helen Morgan Story Napoleon, Wade's Butler Uncredited 1959 Imitation of Life Kenneth, Lora's Butler Uncredited 1959 It Happened to Jane Eugene, The Waiter 1959 Don't Give Up the Ship Porter Uncredited 1959 Career Bellhop Uncredited 1963 Wall of Noise Preacher 1963 Living Between Two Worlds Reverend Williamson 1963 4 for Texas The Waiter Uncredited 1964 Kisses for My President The Usher Uncredited 1965 Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion Villager #2 1966 Chamber of Horrors Servant Uncredited 1967 Hotel The Waiter Uncredited 1970 There Was a Crooked Man... Lomax Servant Uncredited 1971 Skin Game Ned 1974 Busting Rizzo's Butler 1974 Black Samson Henry "Old Henry" 1975 Farewell, My Lovely The Hotel Clerk 1975 Fugitive Lovers Arthur, The Valet 1978 Every Girl Should Have One Napoleon