In Memory Of Actor/Comedian Phil Silvers (TV's 'Sgt. Bilko'): Four Decades After His Surprise Demise

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It's been four decades since actor/comedian Phil Silvers died of a heart attack in his Los Angeles home at only 73 years old in 1985. Silvers was best known as Master Sargent Ernie Bilko on You'll Never Get Rich/The Phil Silvers Show (CBS, 1955-1959), This is his story.

Bilko Was His Name, Oh!

Phil Silvers' Sergeant Bilko TV character epitomized the pleasant, but sneaky, fast-money persona that made the entertainer's career.

With a hairless head, glasses, and a manic speaking manner, Silvers built a career on TV, the big screen, and the stage. His feature films include It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In 1972, Silvers earned a coveted Tony Award for his performance in the stage adaption of Forum.

Backstory

Phil Silvers was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of a tinsmith who had immigrated from Russia and worked on skyscrapers.

At 13, Silvers commenced performing as a soprano in vaudeville and subsequent ''borscht belt'' hotels, burlesque shows, and nightclubs.

In 1938, Silvers made his Broadway debut in Yokel Boy. The next year, he was contracted to make movies for MGM and later 20th Century Fox.

Following a 1946 U.S.O. tour with Frank Sinatra, Silvers returned to Broadway in High Button Shoes, which ran for 727 performances.

Five years later, Silvers starred on stage for 24 months in Top Banana, which then went on tour and was eventually adapted for the big screen.

Then Came Television

In 1955, Phil Silvers signed to star in The Phil Silvers Show, a subtle satire of military life during a patriotic time. The show was a ratings and critical success, enough to sustain its position in syndication for years to come (periodically retitled as Sargent Bilko).

Silvers became a staple on TV variety shows and specials and appeared in numerous films and a few TV shows.

In the End

In the early 1970s, Silvers had a stroke but remained in relatively good health until his surprising demise in 1985. He was married twice (Jo-Carroll Dennison and Evelyn Patrick) and had five daughters; one of whom was actress Cathy Silvers (who played Jenny Piccolo on Happy Days; ABC, 1974-1984).