Johnny Silver (born John Silverman; April 16, 1918 – February 1, 2003) was an American actor and singer, best known for playing Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls.

Born in East Chicago, Indiana, Silver's performing arts career started early, singing as a youth, and then expanded to acting.

[3] During World War II, Silver was tasked with finding entertainment for the troops,[4] and as a result, he met singer Mario Lanza.

[2][3] Silver helped Lanza secure a part in a play written by Peter Lind Hayes and Frank Loesser, On the Beam,[4] and together they performed a number of variety acts for the troops.

[2][1][3] Following the war, Silver moved to New York, and his big break came when he was cast as Benny Southstreet in Loesser's Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls, in 1950.