Al Silvani
Al Silvani (April 26, 1910 – January 10, 1996) was an American boxing trainer and actor.
Al Silvani | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 26, 1910 |
| Died | January 10, 1996 (aged 85) |
| Occupation(s) | Boxing trainer, actor |
As one of the most sought-after trainers in the business, Silvani trained over twenty world champions, including Jake LaMotta, Henry Armstrong, Carmen Basilio, Fritzie Zivic, Pone Kingpetch, Rocky Graziano, Ingemar Johansson, and Lou Ambers.
He also had a lengthy career in the film industry as an actor, stunt man, and as a technical advisor—most noteworthy a lead role in Robin and the Seven Hoods. He also appeared in From Here to Eternity, Ocean's Eleven, Stir Crazy, Every Which Way But Loose, The Gauntlet, Rocky, Rocky II and Rocky III.
He was a close personal friend of Frank Sinatra and hung out with Sinatra's Rat Pack.
Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
2006 California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee.
Fighters trained
- Cisco Andrade
- Alexis Argüello
- Billy Backus
- Nino Benvenuti (Late in his Career 1968–71)
- Tom Bogs
- Mustafa Hamsho (For second Hagler fight)
- Eddie Machen
- Tami Mauriello
- Buster Mathis
- Floyd Patterson (Later in his Career)
- Al Tribuani
- Cleveland Williams
- Robert De Niro (for his role in Raging Bull)
Death
Silvani died in the North Hollywood section of Los Angeles in 1996.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | From Here to Eternity | Soldier Leaving New Congress Club | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Somebody Up There Likes Me | Rocky's Second | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Tempestade | Pope Gerasim | |
| 1959 | Al Capone | Waiter | Uncredited |
| 1959 | The Gene Krupa Story | Man Rubbing Krupa's Shoulders | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Ocean's 11 | Burlesque Club Manager | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Let No Man Write My Epitaph | Bit Role | Uncredited |
| 1961 | The Young Savages | Dention Center Guard | Uncredited |
| 1962 | Kid Galahad | Training Camp Spectator | Uncredited |
| 1963 | Come Blow Your Horn | Bell-Hop | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Robin and the 7 Hoods | Robbo's Hood #4 | |
| 1965 | Von Ryan's Express | American P.O.W. at Train Station | Uncredited |
| 1965 | Marriage on the Rocks | Mexican Character | Uncredited |
| 1972 | Fat City | Referee at Tully-Lucero Fight | Uncredited |
| 1973 | The All-American Boy | Referee | Uncredited |
| 1975 | The Black Bird | Bartender | |
| 1976 | Rocky | Cut Man | |
| 1977 | Bobby Deerfield | Mechanic | |
| 1977 | The Gauntlet | Police Sergeant | |
| 1978 | Every Which Way But Loose | Tank Murdock's Manager | |
| 1979 | Rocky II | Cutman | |
| 1980 | Stir Crazy | Inmate | Uncredited |
| 1982 | Rocky III | Al |
References
- The Ring magazine, Corner Men: Great Boxing Trainers - Ronald K. Fried