Felix Silla was an American actor known for his roles as Cousin Itt in The Addams Family and as Twiki in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. He was beloved for his work in television and film, where he left a lasting impression with his unique performances.
Personal and Family Life
Felix Silla was born on January 11, 1937, in a small village near Rome, Italy. He moved to the United States at the age of 16, where he initially struggled with the English language but found his calling in performance arts. He married Sue Silla in 1965, and they had three children together: Bonnie, Michael, and Diana.
Career
Silla began his career as a circus performer with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Show, where he learned valuable skills as a clown and rider. He became a skilled stuntman in Hollywood after his debut in 1963, gaining recognition for his roles alongside various characters, most notably as “Cousin Itt.” Despite facing challenges in the industry, he became part of several iconic productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Death and Legacy
Felix Silla passed away on April 16, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to pancreatic cancer. His legacy lives on through his memorable performances, particularly as Cousin Itt, a character that continues to be celebrated in various adaptations of The Addams Family. He is remembered both for his talent and the joy he brought to audiences worldwide.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | 1979-03-02 | Twiki |
| She Freak | 1967-05-03 | Shorty |
| The Brood | 1979-05-25 | Creature |
| Black Samurai | 1976-12-22 | Rheinhardt |
| The Black Bird | 1975-12-25 | Litvak |
| Return of the Jedi | 1983-05-25 | Ewok |
| Meatballs: Part II | 1984-07-27 | Meathead |
| Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark | 1973-10-10 | Creature |
| Sssssss | 1973-07-06 | Sam Lee, the Seal Boy |
| Planet of the Apes | 1968-02-07 | Child Gorilla (uncredited) |
| The Kentucky Fried Movie | 1977-08-10 | Crazed Clown |
| Halloween with the New Addams Family | 1977-10-30 | Cousin Itt |
| The Manitou | 1978-04-28 | Misquamacus |
| Pufnstuf | 1970-05-13 | Polkadotted Horse |
| Little Cigars | 1973-06-22 | Frankie |
| The Sting II | 1983-02-18 | Ringside man (uncredited) |
| Batman Returns | 1992-06-19 | Emperor Penguin |
| CHARACTERz | 2016-07-12 | Don Cluff |
| Demon Seed | 1977-04-07 | Baby |
| House | 1985-12-06 | Little Critter |
| Lily | 1973-11-02 | |
| The April Fools | 1969-05-28 | Waiter at Safari Club (uncredited) |
| Ghostbusters II | 1989-06-16 | Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) |
| Mastermind | 1969-06-03 | Schatzi |
| Point Blank | 1967-08-30 | Bellhop (uncredited) |
| What Really Happened to Baby Jane | 1963-01-01 | |
| Under the Rainbow | 1981-07-31 | Hotel Rainbow Guest |
| The Dungeonmaster | 1984-08-24 | Desert Bandit (segment “Desert Pursuit”) |
| Spaceballs | 1987-06-24 | Dink |