Jon Silo
Jon Silo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Abraham Jonathan Margolis July 22, 1907 |
| Died | August 4, 1996 (aged 89) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1929–1996 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Susan Silo (daughter) |
| Relatives | Burr DeBenning (son-in-law) |
Jon Silo (born Abraham Jonathan Margolis; July 22, 1907 – August 4, 1996) was an Austrian-born American actor, comedian, and humorist.[1] Over a career spanning more than four decades, he performed on Broadway and appeared in television and film.[1] Later in life, he and his wife Ruth established a volunteer "Laugh Therapy" program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for rehabilitation patients.[2]
Early life
[edit]He was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, Silo immigrated to New York City to pursue acting and adopted the professional name Jon Silo.[1]
Career
[edit]Theatre
[edit]Silo worked on the New York stage during the 1950s, his Broadway credits included Springtime Folly, Cole Porter's Can-Can, and Paddy Chayefsky's The Passion of Josef D..[3] He also toured nationally, including in a production of Oklahoma!.[2]
Acting
[edit]Silo transitioned into television in the 1950s and 1960s.[1][4] He notably appearing as the first guest actor in The Dick Van Dyke Show, as well as roles in The Outer Limits, The Munsters, My Favorite Martian, and Have Gun – Will Travel.[5][6] He also made appearances on The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible, and Kojak.[7][8]
His film appearances included supporting roles in The Story of Ruth (1960), That Touch of Mink (1962), and The Fortune Cookie (1966).[9]
Philanthropy
[edit]After recovering from severe health challenges, including a stroke and heart surgery, Silo and his wife Ruth founded a "Laugh Therapy" program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center using comedy and storytelling to boost rehabilitation patient morale.[2] He also performed benefit shows for organizations like B'nai B'rith International.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Silo married actress Ruth Silo on October 9, 1941.[10] The couple raised their family in New York before relocating to Los Angeles to follow Jon's acting career.[10] The couple remained married for 55 years until his death.[2] Their daughter, Susan Silo, became a widely recognizable child actress in the 1960s before transitioning into a prolific, voiceover career in American animation.[10]
Death
[edit]Jon Silo died on August 4, 1996, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 89.[2]
Filmography
[edit]Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Hands of Murder | European Men | 1 episode |
| 1951–1952 | Not for Publication | The Gentlemen | 5 episodes |
| 1958 | The Court of Last Resort | Attendant | 1 episode |
| 1959 | Man with a Camera | Gas Station Owner | Starring Charles Bronson |
| 1960–1963 | Have Gun - Will Travel | Jean Passepartout / Clerk | 2 episodes |
| 1961 | The Bob Newhart Show | Himself | 1 episode |
| 1961–1962 | The Dick Powell Theatre | Sussman / Conductor | 2 episodes |
| 1961–1962 | Adventures in Paradise | Servais / Claude Baronne | 2 episodes |
| 1961–1963 | The Dick Van Dyke Show | John the Barber / Elevator Operator | Historic first guest actor |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits | Oswaldo | Sci-fi series; episode: "The Human Factor" |
| 1963 | The Eleventh Hour | Benny Falcon | 1 episode |
| 1963–1966 | My Favorite Martian | Waiter / Vendor / Ice Cream Man | 3 episodes[11] |
| 1964 | My Living Doll | Maitre d' | 1 episode |
| 1964 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Alfonso Figueroa | 1 episode |
| 1965 | Ben Casey | Landlord | 1 episode |
| 1965 | The Munsters | The Russian teletype man | Episode: "Herman, the Master Spy" |
| 1965 | My Three Sons | Lion Tamer | Family sitcom |
| 1965 | McHale's Navy | The Italian Policeman | Military sitcom |
| 1966 | Man in the Square Suit | Waiter | TV Movie |
| 1966 | Mission: Impossible | Pick Pocket Victim | 1 episode |
| 1967 | Run for Your Life | 1st Waiter | 1 episode |
| 1968 | Cimarron Strip | Jeweler | 1 episode |
| 1968 | Mannix | Maitre D' | 1 episode |
| 1970 | To Rome with Love | Vendor | 1 episode |
| 1973 | Kojak | Krouse | Police procedural |
| 1978 | Sugar Time! | Friedman | Musical comedy series |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | The Story of Ruth | Tacher | Biblical drama[12] |
| 1962 | That Touch of Mink | Mario the Headwaiter | |
| 1962 | Beauty and the Beast | Benito | Fantasy feature |
| 1966 | The Fortune Cookie | Tailor | [13] |
| 1968 | How Sweet It Is! | Hotel Clerk | Comedy feature[14] |
Stage
[edit]Theatre
[edit]| Production Dates | Production | Venue | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 1951 – Feb 27, 1951 | Springtime Folly | Golden Theatre | George Baroff | Original Broadway comedy |
| May 7, 1953 – Jun 25, 1955 | Can-Can | Shubert Theatre | Policeman / Cafe Waiter (u/s Theophile) | Original Broadway musical; later took over the role of Theophile |
| Feb 11, 1964 – Feb 22, 1964 | The Passion of Josef D. | Ethel Barrymore Theatre | Klurman / General Kornilov | Original biographical drama by Paddy Chayefsky |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Jewish community bulletin". The Jewish News of Northern California. May 19, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Jon Silo; Actor Provided 'Laugh Therapy'". Los Angeles Times. January 7, 2025.
- ↑ "COMEDY TO ARRIVE AT GOLDEN TONIGHT; 'Springtime Folly' Concerns Maternity Dress Industry --'Razzle Dazzle' Closes". The New York Times. February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits Supplement Through 1987. University of Michigan. 1989. p. 772.
- ↑ The Films of Cary Grant. University of Michigan. 1973. p. 255.
- ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. 2001. p. 1974.
- ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. 2001. p. 1935.
- ↑ Television Comedy Series: An Episode Guide to 153 TV Sitcoms in Syndication. University of Michigan. 1984. p. 202.
- ↑ The Bible on Film: A Checklist, 1897-1980. Bloomsbury Academic. 1981. p. 50.
- 1 2 3 "Ruth Silo Obituary". Legacy. October 8, 2025.
- ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. 2001. p. 1973.
- ↑ Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-Language and Major Foreign-Language United States Releases · Volume 1. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 2010. p. 438.
- ↑ Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-Language and Major Foreign-Language United States Releases · Volume 1. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 2010. p. 150.
- ↑ Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-Language and Major Foreign-Language United States Releases · Volume 1. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 2010. p. 207.