Trinidad Silva

Trinidad Silva
Trinidad Silva in UHF (1989)
Born Trinidad Silva, Jr.
(1950-01-30)January 30, 1950
Mission, Texas, U.S.
Died July 31, 1988(1988-07-31) (aged 38)
Whittier, California, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 1977-1988

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 best 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. Silva's television work includes the role of Jesus Martinez on the television series Hill Street Blues.

Death

Silva died at the age of 38 in a car accident involving a collision with a drunken driver in Whittier, California, while filming the 1989 "Weird Al" Yankovic film UHF. Silva, his wife and their 2-year-old son were driving east on Slauson Avenue when a sedan moving south on Santa Fe Springs Road ran the red light where the two streets intersect and slammed into the driver's side of the pickup. Officers said the sedan, driven by Douglas Robert Owens, struck the small pickup with such force that both Silva and his son were hurled from the truck, the actor flying more than 100 feet (30 meters) before striking the pavement.[1]

Parts of the Yankovic film had to be rewritten since Silva had not finished filming his part. The film was dedicated to his memory.

Silva 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
1983 Second Thoughts Latino #1
1983 El Norte Monte
1984 Crackers Ramon
1987 Jocks Chito
1988 The Milagro Beanfield War Townsperson
1988 The Night Before Tito
1988 Colors Leo "Frog" Lopez
1989 UHF Raul Hernandez Died during filming
film 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 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

  1. ↑ Malnic, Eric (August 2, 1988). "Actor Trinidad Silva, 38, Dies in Collision". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
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