William Sylvester


William Sylvester was an American actor, chiefly known for his film and television work in the United Kingdom. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he was a star of British B-movies in the 1950s and 1960s, but gained widespread recognition for his role as Dr. Heywood Floyd in the landmark science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Life and career

William Sylvester was born in Oakland, California, the son of Italian immigrant Joseph Silvester and his American wife, Gertrude Bailey Silvester. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War and settled in Britain after the war to pursue his interest in professional acting. He became a staple of British B films at a time when American and Canadian actors were much in demand to give indigenous films some appeal in the United States. While in the UK, he married British actress Veronica Hurst.
As a result, he gained top billing in one of his first films, House of Blackmail, directed by the veteran filmmaker Maurice Elvey, for whom he also made What Every Woman Wants the following year. He also starred in such minor films as A Stranger Came Home, Dublin Nightmare, Offbeat, Information Received, Incident at Midnight, Blind Corner, and Ring of Spies.
There were also lead roles in four British horror films: Gorgo, Devil Doll, Devils of Darkness and The Hand of Night.
Sylvester was cast by director Stanley Kubrick as Dr. Heywood R. Floyd in the landmark film 2001 A Space Odyssey. In spite of that notable role, Sylvester was never again cast in a prominent role in a motion picture, appearing instead in small parts and occasional supporting roles on television and in movies such as Busting '', The Hindenburg and Heaven Can Wait.
Among his many television credits were a 1959 BBC version of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, The Saint, The Baron, The High Chaparral, Harry O, Danger Man, Banacek, The Six Million Dollar Man, Quincy, M.E. and he was a regular on the one-season science-fiction series Gemini Man created by Steven Bochco.
Sylvester retired from acting during the early 1980s, and died of undisclosed causes in Sacramento, California, on January 25, 1995, six days before his 73rd birthday.

Selected filmography

Give Us This Day – GiovanniThey Were Not Divided – American Soldier The Yellow Balloon – LenAppointment in London – MacHouse of Blackmail – JimmyAlbert R.N. – Lt. 'Texas' NortonWhat Every Woman Wants – Jim BamesA Stranger Came Home – Philip VickersPortrait of Alison – Dave ForresterHigh Tide at Noon – Alec DouglasDublin Nightmare – John KevinWhirlpool – HermanOffbeat – Layton / Steve RossGorgo – Sam SladeInformation Received – Rick HoganIncident at Midnight – Vince WarrenRing of Spies – Gordon LonsdaleDevil Doll – Mark EnglishBlind Corner – Paul GregoryDevils of Darkness – Paul BaxterYou Only Live Twice – Pentagon Official Red and Blue – Trumpeter2001: A Space Odyssey – Dr. Heywood R. FloydThe Hand of Night – Paul CarverThe Syndicate – Burt HickeyThe Lawyer – Paul HarrisonDon't Be Afraid of the Dark – Tom HendersonBusting – Mr. WeldmanThe Hindenburg – Luftwaffe ColonelRiding with Death – Leonard DriscollHeaven Can Wait – Nuclear ReporterFirst Family – TV Commentator Howard