Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Larry Silverman

Lawrence Walter “Larry” Silverman was born on February 28, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York, according to his birth certificate and World War II draft card. 

In the 1910 United States Census, Silverman was the only child of Henry, a lawyer, and Gertrude. His father was born in Austria and his mother in England. They were Brooklyn residents at 1416 Eastern Parkway. 

Silverman attended Public School No. 156 which was less than half-a-mile from his home. Silverman was an honor roll student who was mentioned in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 19, 1915 and May 21, 1918. 

On September 12, 1918, Silverman’s father signed his World War I draft card. His address was 38 Glemore Avenue in Brooklyn. Silverman’s father was a lawyer for New York City and worked at the Municipal Building. 

The 1920 census counted Silverman, his parents and sister, Phyllis, in the Bronx at 847 Manida Street. 

The 1925 New York state census said the Silverman family of five lived in the Bronx at 2015 University Avenue. 

Information about Silverman’s art training has not been found. His earliest professional work may have been the comic strip, In Jungle Land aka In Jungle Town aka Jungletown Fables, for the Paramount Newspaper Feature Service which distributed Sam Iger’s The Gang, Louise Hirsch’s Tessie Tish and Charlie Chirps, Geoff Hayes’ After the Honeymoon, Gus Standard’s Ham and Beans, Jack Ward’s Flaming Youth, and Frank Little’s Spike and Sam. In Jungle Land had a byline for Whitey and art signed either “Whitey”, “Lane” or “Larry Silverman”. American Newspaper Comics (2012) said In Jungle Land ran from September 16, 1927 to July 5, 1928.

According to the 1930 census, Silverman was a student. The name of the school is not known. He lived with his parents and sister, Phyllis, in Manhattan at 898 West End Avenue. 

The Film Daily, May 31, 1933, said “Larry Silverman, one of the Harman-Ising animators, also is in New York enjoying a vacation after having signed a new contract.” 

Silverman’s Making ’em Move was mentioned in a 1939 issue of The Camera. The New York Sun, May 24, 1941, published an article about the New York 8mm Motion Picture Club meeting at the Hotel Pennsylvania and said “... ‘Making ’em Move,’ by Larry Silverman, was a well planned color story of the making of animated cartoons ...”

Silverman and his parents were Manhattan residents in the 1940 census. The trio’s address 246 West End Avenue. Silverman was a cartoonist at Terrytoons, Inc. His highest level of education was a year of college. He worked 52 weeks and earned $4,000 in 1939. 

On October 16, 1940, Silverman signed his World War II draft card. At a later date, his address was updated to 35 Clinton Place, New Rochelle, New York. Silverman was described as five feet seven inches, 132 pounds, with brown eyes and hair. Another notation said he married on April 1, 1941. 

The New York, New York Marriage License Index, at Ancestry.com, said he and Eleanor Newhouse obtained in the Bronx, on March 29, 1941, marriage license number 2677. 

The 1947 New Rochelle, New York city directory listed Silverman as a cartoonist who lived at 35 Clinton Place, apartment 5E. Silverman’s art also appeared in comic books. (see Who’s Who of American Comic Books 1928–1999)

In 1947, Silverman participated in the strike at Terrytoons. Motion Picture Daily, June 13, 1949, named the new officers of the Screen Cartoonists. 

Zander President of Screen Cartoonists

Jack Zander has been elected president of the Screen Cartoonists, Local 1461, it was announced here at the weekend. Other officers elected were: Morey Reden, vice-president; Larry Silverman, treasurer; Charlotte Tuggle, recording secretary; Gene Sogioka, financial secretary; Irving Spector, conductor; Jim Logan, warden. Trustees are Tex Henson, Ruth Kuss and Gloria Green. Pepe Ruiz is business agent.

The Silverman’s address was the same in the 1950 census. Silverman had two daughters, Joanne and Jaclyn. He was a cartoonist at Famous Studios Moving Pictures. 

American Newspaper Comics said the creative team of writer, Tom Johnson, and artists, Steve Muffatti and Silverman, used the pseudonym Al Buck to produced Little Audrey from December 18, 1950 to 1951. 

Art Direction, May 1958, mentioned Silverman as the animator of a 10-second TV commercial. 

The Los Angeles Times, February 3, 1995, said Silverman moved to California in 1964 to work for Disney animation studios. He also worked at Hanna Barbera. He retired in 1984 and moved to Camarillo. 

Silverman passed away on January 30, 1995 in Camarillo.