Felix Silla

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