Jon Silo

Jon Silo
Born
Abraham Jonathan Margolis

(1907-07-22)July 22, 1907
Klagenfurt, Austria
DiedAugust 4, 1996(1996-08-04) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Comedian
  • Humanitarian
Years active1929–1996
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1941; death 1996)​
ChildrenSusan Silo (daughter)
RelativesBurr 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. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he performed on Broadway and appeared in television and film. Later in life, he and his wife Ruth established a volunteer "Laugh Therapy" program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for rehabilitation patients.

Early life

He was born in Klagenfurt, Austria, Silo immigrated to New York City to pursue acting and adopted the professional name Jon Silo.

Career

Theatre

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.. He also toured nationally, including in a production of Oklahoma!.

Acting

Silo transitioned into television in the 1950s and 1960s. 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. He also made appearances on The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible, and Kojak.

His film appearances included supporting roles in The Story of Ruth (1960), That Touch of Mink (1962), and The Fortune Cookie (1966).

Philanthropy

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. He also performed benefit shows for organizations like B'nai B'rith International.

Personal life

Silo married actress Ruth Silo on October 9, 1941. The couple raised their family in New York before relocating to Los Angeles to follow Jon's acting career. The couple remained married for 55 years until his death. Their daughter, Susan Silo, became a widely recognizable child actress in the 1960s before transitioning into a prolific, voiceover career in American animation.

Death

Jon Silo died on August 4, 1996, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 89.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1951Hands of MurderEuropean Men1 episode
1951–1952Not for PublicationThe Gentlemen5 episodes
1958The Court of Last ResortAttendant1 episode
1959Man with a CameraGas Station OwnerStarring Charles Bronson
1960–1963Have Gun - Will TravelJean Passepartout / Clerk2 episodes
1961The Bob Newhart ShowHimself1 episode
1961–1962The Dick Powell TheatreSussman / Conductor2 episodes
1961–1962Adventures in ParadiseServais / Claude Baronne2 episodes
1961–1963The Dick Van Dyke ShowJohn the Barber / Elevator OperatorHistoric first guest actor
1963The Outer LimitsOswaldoSci-fi series; episode: "The Human Factor"
1963The Eleventh HourBenny Falcon1 episode
1963–1966My Favorite MartianWaiter / Vendor / Ice Cream Man3 episodes
1964My Living DollMaitre d'1 episode
1964The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Alfonso Figueroa1 episode
1965Ben CaseyLandlord1 episode
1965The MunstersThe Russian teletype manEpisode: "Herman, the Master Spy"
1965My Three SonsLion TamerFamily sitcom
1965McHale's NavyThe Italian PolicemanMilitary sitcom
1966Man in the Square SuitWaiterTV Movie
1966Mission: ImpossiblePick Pocket Victim1 episode
1967Run for Your Life1st Waiter1 episode
1968Cimarron StripJeweler1 episode
1968MannixMaitre D'1 episode
1970To Rome with LoveVendor1 episode
1973KojakKrousePolice procedural
1978Sugar Time!FriedmanMusical comedy series

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1960The Story of RuthTacherBiblical drama
1962That Touch of MinkMario the Headwaiter
1962Beauty and the BeastBenitoFantasy feature
1966The Fortune CookieTailor
1968How Sweet It Is!Hotel ClerkComedy feature

Stage

Theatre

Production DatesProductionVenueRole(s)Notes
Feb 26, 1951 – Feb 27, 1951Springtime FollyGolden TheatreGeorge BaroffOriginal Broadway comedy
May 7, 1953 – Jun 25, 1955Can-CanShubert TheatrePoliceman / Cafe Waiter
(u/s Theophile)		Original Broadway musical; later took over the role of Theophile
Feb 11, 1964 – Feb 22, 1964The Passion of Josef D.Ethel Barrymore TheatreKlurman / General KornilovOriginal biographical drama by Paddy Chayefsky

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jewish community bulletin". The Jewish News of Northern California. May 19, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jon Silo; Actor Provided 'Laugh Therapy'". Los Angeles Times. January 7, 2025.
  3. ↑ "COMEDY TO ARRIVE AT GOLDEN TONIGHT; 'Springtime Folly' Concerns Maternity Dress Industry --'Razzle Dazzle' Closes". The New York Times. February 20, 2026.
  4. ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits Supplement Through 1987. University of Michigan. 1989. p. 772.
  5. ↑ The Films of Cary Grant. University of Michigan. 1973. p. 255.
  6. ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. 2001. p. 1974.
  7. ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. 2001. p. 1935.
  8. ↑ Television Comedy Series: An Episode Guide to 153 TV Sitcoms in Syndication. University of Michigan. 1984. p. 202.
  9. ↑ The Bible on Film: A Checklist, 1897-1980. Bloomsbury Academic. 1981. p. 50.
  10. 1 2 3 "Ruth Silo Obituary". Legacy. October 8, 2025.
  11. ↑ Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Television shows. McFarland. 2001. p. 1973.
  12. ↑ Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-Language and Major Foreign-Language United States Releases · Volume 1. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 2010. p. 438.
  13. ↑ Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-Language and Major Foreign-Language United States Releases · Volume 1. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 2010. p. 150.
  14. ↑ Feature Films, 1960-1969: A Filmography of English-Language and Major Foreign-Language United States Releases · Volume 1. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. 2010. p. 207.