Geno Silva (January 20, 1948 – May 9, 2020) was an American actor of Mexican heritage. He is most widely recognized for his portrayal of the hitman known as “The Skull” in Brian De Palma’s 1983 film Scarface. Silva’s filmography also includes supporting roles in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), Amistad (1997), Murder in the First (1995), and appearances on television series such as Breaking Bad, The Shield, and The Walking Dead.
Silva studied acting at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Prior to his film career he performed with various theater groups and was a member of the Actors Studio. Throughout his career he was noted for playing tough, often criminal characters, frequently cast in roles that highlighted his distinctive facial scar and intense on‑screen presence.
Silva retired from acting in the early 2010s and lived in Los Angeles, California, until his death at the age of 72. His contributions to American cinema, particularly his iconic role in Scarface, have been cited in discussions of Latino representation in Hollywood.