Trinidad Silva

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.

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 Silva was born in Mission, Texas.

Death On July 31, 1988, Silva, his wife, and toddler son had gone out to lunch after Sunday church services, and were returning home when a drunken driver drove through a red light into the driver's side of the family's pickup truck at an intersection in Whittier, California. Silva and his son, who allegedly were not wearing seatbelts, were both thrown from the vehicle. His son survived the crash with abrasions and bruising but no major injuries. Silva, however, flew before striking the pavement, and died instantly. He was 38 years old. His wife also survived with minimal injury. 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.

Silva's death occurred during production of the 1989 "Weird Al" Yankovic film UHF. Parts of the film had to be rewritten since he had not finished filming his scenes. The film was dedicated to his memory. Yankovic would later reveal on his Ask Al website that the circumstances of Silva's death had contributed to his refusal to do advertisements for alcohol.

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

Filmography Film 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 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 star28 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