Ron Silver (born July 2, 1946 in New York City, New York) is an American movie and television actor, director, and producer. His various works and contributions to the field have enabled him to become a respected, Tony award-winning actor. He (Ron Silver) played a fictional version of himself (not Ron Silver) in the unaired action comedy Heat Vision and Jack. He was also a founding member of the Creative Coalition.

From 1991 to 2000, Silver served as president of the Actors' Equity Association.

From 2001 to 2002, and again from 2005 to 2006, Silver played Bruno Gianelli, Presidential campaign advisor, on The West Wing.

In 2000 he cofounded the organisation One Jerusalem to defend against the Oslo Peace Agreement. Its cause is "maintaining a united Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel."^*

Silver, once a Democrat, has recently been an outspoken supporter for President George W. Bush, citing the September 11, 2001 attacks and the Democrats' policies regarding terrorism as his reasons for switching parties. He spoke at the United States Republican Convention in 2004, and has continued to staunchly support the president, even though he thinks it may ultimately affect his career. His West Wing character underwent a similar change of heart, switching from a Democratic political strategist in the earlier seasons to the campaign manager for the Republican presidential candidate.

Silver was appointed Chairman for the Millennium Committee by New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. On October 7, 2005, Ron Silver was nominated by President George W. Bush to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace.

Silver has traveled to more than 30 countries and speaks both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, as well as English. He has taught high school and has done social work for the Department of Social Services.

Education

---

Ron Silver was raised in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and attended the prestigious Stuyvesant High School. He went on to graduate from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and Chinese, and a master's degree in Chinese History from St. John's University in New York and the College of Chinese Culture in Taiwan. Silver also attended Columbia University Graduate School of International Affairs.

Career

---

Television:

• Chicago Hope
• Rhoda
• Skin
• Veronica's Closet
• The West Wing
• Heat Vision and Jack

Films:

• Ali
• The Entity
• Billionaire Boys Club (Emmy nomination)
• Reversal of Fortune
• Speed The Plow (Tony and Drama Desk awards)
• Timecop
• Slient Rage

External links

---

• Ron Silver Page
• Actor Ron Silver Has a New Role, Backing Bush
• Exclusive Representation by Greater Talent Network

1946 births | The West Wing actors | American actors | Jewish American actors | Living people | People from New York | Stuyvesant High School alumni | University at Buffalo alumni

Ron Silver | Ron Silver