Actor and political activist Ron Silver, best known in his later years as Bruno Gianelli in The West Wing has died from cancer aged 62.
Silver had a long career in film and on television, including roles in Lovesick (1983), Garbo Talks (1984), Eat and Run (1986), and the lead in Enemies: A Love Story (1989). The movie role is was best known for was as defense attorney Alan Dershowitz in Reversal of Fortune (1990).
Originally a life long Democrat and founding member of the liberal-leaning Creative Coalition in 1989, Silver became an outspoken Republican after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Silver spoke in favor of George W Bush at the 2004 Republican National Convention and was appointed by Bush to the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace. Silver was also a strong advocate for Israeli and Jewish affairs.
In 2008, Silver began hosting The Ron Silver Show on Sirius Satellite Radio, which focused on politics and public affairs.
