Napoleon Whiting (September 21, 1910, Mississippi – October 22, 1984, Los Angeles, California), was an American character actor. He played many bit parts, often uncredited, as a menial worker such as the African American butler, a stereotypical role. He also appeared as the butler in Giant (1956). Whiting was best known to television audiences for his work as Silas on The Big Valley, a typecast but highly visible role. Filmography References External links 1910 births 1984 deaths African-American male actors American male film actors American male television actors Male actors from Mississippi 20th-century American male actors 20th-century African-American people Western (genre) television actors