- Born
- Died
- Birth nameFrank Alvin Silvera
- He was a highly successful black actor/director in the 1950s and 1960s who - because of his light-skinned appearance - transcended race and ethnicity in his performances. In motion pictures, Frank Silvera was cast as black, Latino, Polynesian and "white"/racially indeterminate (due to black + white film stock's lack of discernment when rendering light-skinned African-Americans).
He was actively engaged in the Civil Rights Struggles of the 1950s and 1960s and called on all of his associates in the theater and film world to support the efforts of Black Americans during this watershed in American history. The Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop Foundation, Inc. was founded by actor/ director Morgan Freeman, playwright/director Garland Lee Thompson Garland Thompson, director/ actress Billie Allen and journalist Clayton Riley in 1973.
- IMDb mini biography by: L. J. Allen-2
- SpousesJeannine Alina Pryor(September 3, 1967 - June 11, 1970) (his death)Anna Lillian Quarles(1942 - 1963) (divorced, 2 children)
- ChildrenFrank Silvera Jr.Linda Silvera
- ParentsAlfred N. SilveraGertrude L. Bell
- Born in Jamaica but raised in Boston.
- Accidentally electrocuted in his kitchen on June 11, 1970 while trying to repair a garbage disposal. His death was initially attributed to a heart attack because he had been undergoing treatment for high blood pressure.
- Morgan Freeman, director/actress Billie Allen and journalist Clayton Riley honored Frank by co-founding the Harlem-based Frank Silvera Writer's Workshop Foundation, Inc., in 1973 which sponsored up-and-coming playwrights.
- Studied at Northwestern University in Illinois with the intention of becoming an attorney or teacher of law.
- Began his career on stage with Harlem's American Negro Theatre and with the Actor's Studio.
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