| Occupation Actor Years active 1977-1988 | Name Trinidad Silva Role character actor | |
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| Full Name Trinidad Silva, Jr. Born January 30, 1950 (1950-01-30) Mission, Texas, U.S. Spouse Sofia Alvarez (m. 1983–1988) Movies UHF, Colors, The Illegal, The Night Before, Crackers Died July 31, 1988 (aged 38) Whittier, California, U.S. Similar Randy Brooks (actor), Grand L Bush, María Conchita Alonso | ||
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.
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He is best known for the roles of Jesus Martinez, a gang leader turned lawyer 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.
We Don't Need No Stinking Badgers!
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 "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 before striking the pavement.
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.