On this day in Jamaican history: Hollywood actor Frank Silvera

Frank Silvera- Photo courtesy of The Frank Silvera Writers’
Workshop Foundation, Inc.

On this day in Jamaican history: On July 24, 1914, Hollywood actor Frank Silvera was born in Kingston, Jamaica. As a light-skinned black man, he played and landed roles designated for whites. He once said he attempted to get a part in a TV drama as a black elevator operator. The producer rejected him as being too light-skinned. He left the producer’s office, then returned. “Am I light enough to play one of the white parts?” He got the job. Silvera was known as “the man with a thousand faces” because of his ability to play a wide array of roles.

Selected filmography