Joe Silver (September 28, 1922, Chicago, Illinois - February 27, 1989, New York, New York) was an American stage, television, film and radio actor. His distinctive deep voice was once described as "the lowest voice in show business; so low that when he speaks, he unties your shoelaces."Silver made his Broadway debut in 1942 in a revival of Tobacco Road. He was in the original production of Gypsy: A Musical Fable (1959) and was nominated for a supporting actor Tony Award for playing nine different roles in Lenny (1971).In 1947, he made the first of more than 1000 appearances on television, as a panelist on What's It Worth? Two years later, he became a member of the cast of the CBS educational children's television show Mr. I Magination. In 1950 he appeared on the short-lived CBS variety show Joey Faye's Frolics. He was later featured on The Red Buttons Show in the 1950s, and was the second "Captain Jet", host of the children's show Space Funnies in the late 1950s. He played the husband of star Lee Grant's character on Fay in the 1975-1976 season.His film credits include Diary of a Bachelor (1964), Rhinoceros (1974), The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974), Shivers (1975), Rabid (1977), and second billing in You Light Up My Life (1977). He also provided the voice of "The Creep" in the horror anthology film Creepshow 2. He also provided the speaking and singing voices of the Greedy in Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure.Silver died in Manhattan of liver cancer at the age of 66. He was survived by his actress wife Chevi Colton, their son Christopher, their daughter Jennifer, and three grandchildren.
[on the show Captain Jett] "I had a different kid with me every week as co-pilot, and we'd blast off, and watch cartoons on the way. Now, it's pretty unsettling when a middle-aged man comes up to me and reminds me that he was one of my space hoppers."
2
[on TV commercials] "I haven't done a human being in one of them in a long time. I do trees so I can be here."
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Fact
1
Had 3 grandchildren at the time of his death by his daughter, Jennifer Sylla.
2
Before he made a living in show business as an actor, he was a shoe salesman.
3
Was a Green Bay Packers fan
4
Attended the University of Wisconsin where he majored in Communications and Theater
5
Had 2 children, Christopher (born 1953) and Jennifer (born 1958). Neither child was raised Jewish like their father, but Christopher later converted to Judiasm as an adult and changed his name to Mosche Silver.
6
Was nominated for Brodway's 1972 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Lenny."
7
Started hosting "Space Funnies" on Saturday, June 19, 1955, as Captain Jett but also displayed his extensive talents by performing puppet skits and created his own special visual effects with ordinary household items (a boiling pot of oatmeal served as the surface of Venus, for example).
8
Began his career in children's TV as a regular member of Paul Tripp's repertory company of actors on CBS TV's pioneering educational kids show "Mr. I. Magination."
9
Acted in the Broadway production of "Legs Diamond" (Dec 26, 1988 - Feb 19, 1989) just 8 days before he passed away.
10
He was the second and the last host/performer to play Captain Jet on the WCBS-TV, Ch. 2 NYC version of "Space Funnies"/"Captain Jet" on Saturday and Sunday mornings from Saturday and Sunday June 19, and 20, 1955, to Saturday and Sunday December 30 and 31, 1960. The first host/performer to play Captain Jet was actor and radio DJ Stan Sawyer, who hosted the program from Saturday and Sunday July 5 and 6, 1953, to Saturday and Sunday June 28 and 29, 1955.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Switching Channels
1988
Mordsini
Mr. Nice Guy
1987
Leser Tish
Magic Sticks
1987
Pawnbroker
Creepshow 2
1987
The Creep (voice)
Spenser: For Hire
1986
TV Series
Guzman
The Gig
1985
Abe Mitgang
The Equalizer
1985
TV Series
Felix Dzershinsky
Almost You
1985
Uncle Stu
Focus on Fishko
1983
Short
Old Studio Boss
Too Close for Comfort
1983
TV Series
Aaron Harbach
Illusions
1983
TV Movie
Arnie
Likely Stories, Vol. 4
1983
TV Movie
J.J. Glucksman (1983)
Deathtrap
1982
Seymour Starger
Ryan's Hope
1980-1981
TV Series
Elliot Silverstein
Nurse
1981
TV Series
Agnello
Gnomes
1980
TV Movie voice
3-2-1 Contact
1980
TV Series
Mr. Midas (segment: "The Bloodhound Gang")
Boardwalk
1979
Leo Rosen
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo
1979
TV Series
Additional Voices (voice)
Starstruck
1979
TV Movie
Max
Crash
1978
TV Movie
Alvin Jessop
Love on the Nose
1978
TV Movie
Store Owner
Alice
1978
TV Series
Mr. Parker
You Light Up My Life
1977
Si Robinson
Rabid
1977
Murray Cypher
Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure
1977
The Greedy (voice)
NBC Special Treat
1977
TV Series
Teacher / Noah
Kojak
1976
TV Series
Chief Wilson
Fay
1975-1976
TV Series
Jack Stewart
Chico and the Man
1975
TV Series
Mr. Barlow
Shivers
1975
Rollo Linsky
Sanford and Son
1975
TV Series
Mr. Stone
Harry O
1975
TV Series
Bernie
Medical Center
1975
TV Series
Marty
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
1974
Farber
Rhinoceros
1974
Norman
Love, American Style
1972
TV Series
Adrien S. Clark (segment "Love and the Out-of-Town Client")
Gunsmoke
1972
TV Series
Beal Brown
Klute
1971
Dr. Spangler (uncredited)
The Night the Animals Talked
1970
TV Short
Ox (voice)
Move
1970
Oscar
Keep the Cool, Baby
1967
Short
Spider (voice, uncredited)
A Bridge Grows in Brooklyn
1967
Short
Hart Hat / Mayor (voice, uncredited)
Coronet Blue
1967
TV Series
Max Spier
The Edge of Night
1958-1966
TV Series
Danny Fenton / Pat Sherman / Ted Price
The Doctors and the Nurses
1963-1965
TV Series
Arthur Bleck / Mr. Wellman / Mr. Cox / ...
For the People
1965
TV Series
Conrad
The Defenders
1961-1964
TV Series
Steve Sankey / Tony Roman
The Patty Duke Show
1964
TV Series
Man / Coach Edwards
The Reporter
1964
TV Series
Bartender
Diary of a Bachelor
1964
Charlie Barrett
East Side/West Side
1964
TV Series
Harry Silverman
Naked City
1961-1963
TV Series
Dean of Admissions / Assistant D.A. Ketton / Man in Doorway / ...