Though he originally aspired to work for the State Department, actor Ron Silver eventually succumbed to his college ambition of becoming a performer. First making a name for himself off-Broadway, Silver eventually transitioned to the small screen, where he made regular appearances on several short-lived sitcoms and acclaimed made-for-television movies. He began to rise to prominence through his work in features, including “Silent Rage” (1982) and “Silkwood” (1983). But it was his stage work that helped make Silver a star, which culminated in a Tony-winning performance in David Mamet’s