Howard Da Silva
ActingAbout Howard Da Silva
Howard da Silva (born Howard Silverblatt, May 4, 1909 – February 16, 1986) was an American actor, director and musical performer on stage, film, television and radio. He was cast in dozens of productions on the New York stage, appeared in more than two dozen television programs, and acted in more than fifty feature films. Adept at both drama and musicals on the stage, he originated the role of Jud Fry in the original 1943 run of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma!, and also portrayed the prosecuting attorney in the 1957 stage production of Compulsion. Da Silva was nominated for a 1960 Tony Award as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work in Fiorello!, a musical about New York City mayor LaGuardia. In 1961, da Silva directed Purlie Victorious, by Ossie Davis.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Howard Da Silva reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Howard Da Silva's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 34% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Howard Da Silva remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Lost Weekend, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Howard Da Silva Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Howard Da Silva's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Howard Da Silva.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Garbo Talks | Angelo Dakakis | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Mommie Dearest | L.B. Mayer | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Greatest Man in the World | Conkin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1980 | Power | Jack Eisenstadt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover | Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1975 | I'm a Stranger Here Myself | Narrator (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Missiles of October | Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Great Gatsby | Meyer Wolfsheim | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Smile Jenny, You're Dead | Lt. Humphrey Kenner | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | 1776 | Dr. Benjamin Franklin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1966 | Nevada Smith | Warden | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Outrage | Prospector | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | David and Lisa | Dr. Swinford | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Fourteen Hours | Deputy Police Chief Moskar | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | M | Inspector Carney | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Three Husbands | Dan McCabe | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Tripoli | Capt. Demetrios | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Wyoming Mail | Cavanaugh | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | The Underworld Story | Carl Durham | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | They Live by Night | Chicamaw One-Eye Mobley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Border Incident | Owen Parkson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Great Gatsby | Wilson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Unconquered | Garth | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Variety Girl | Howard Da Silva | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Blaze of Noon | Mike Gafferty | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Two Years Before the Mast | Captain Francis A. Thompson | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Blue Dahlia | Eddie Harwood | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Lost Weekend | Nat the Bartender | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Duffy's Tavern | Tough Guy | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Tonight We Raid Calais | Sgt. Block | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | Keeper of the Flame | Jason Rickards | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Reunion in France | Anton Stregel | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Omaha Trail | Ben Santley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Big Shot | Sandor | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Juke Girl | Cully | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Native Land | Jim | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bullet Scars | Frank Dillon | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Wild Bill Hickok Rides | Ringo | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Steel Against the Sky | Bugs | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Blues in the Night | Sam Paryas | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | At the Stroke of Twelve | Angie the Ox | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sergeant York | Lem | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Nine Lives Are Not Enough | City Editor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Bad Men of Missouri | Greg Bilson | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Strange Alibi | Prison Guard Monson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Sea Wolf | Harrison | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | I'm Still Alive | Red Garvey | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Abe Lincoln in Illinois | Jack Armstrong | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Marie Antoinette | Toulon (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Once in a Blue Moon | - | Flop | Similar → |
Howard Da Silva - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Howard Da Silva?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Howard Da Silva is "The Lost Weekend" with a rating of 7.6/10.
How many movies has Howard Da Silva acted in?
Howard Da Silva has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Howard Da Silva?
Other notable films include "The Missiles of October", "The Sea Wolf", and "Sergeant York".