Donald Silverman, the father of comedian Sarah Silverman, died on May 11, 2023, at the age of 81. He was surrounded by his family, who shared their love and dark humor with him in his final days. His death came a week after his wife of 40 years, Janice Silverman, also passed away. The couple had been married since 1983 and had four daughters together.
A Loving Father and a Funny Man
Donald Silverman was born on June 15, 1941, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a social worker and a community organizer who worked with various groups and causes. He was also a passionate supporter of the Democratic Party and a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump.
Donald Silverman was known for his witty and irreverent sense of humor, which he passed on to his daughter Sarah. He taught her how to swear at a young age and encouraged her to pursue comedy as a career. He was also a proud father who often praised Sarah’s achievements and defended her from online trolls.
Sarah Silverman described her father as her “best pal” and “the richest man in the world because of his family”. She shared many photos and videos of him on her social media accounts, showing their close and playful relationship. She also dedicated her 2010 memoir, The Bedwetter, to him, writing, “To my dad, who taught me that if you can laugh at yourself, you can laugh at anything.”
A Mysterious Illness and a Peaceful Departure
The exact cause of Donald Silverman’s death has not been publicly disclosed. However, it is known that he had been suffering from a mysterious illness for a while, which affected his memory and cognition. According to People, he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder that causes hallucinations, confusion, and motor problems.
Sarah Silverman revealed in a 2018 interview with Howard Stern that her father had been hospitalized several times and that his condition was deteriorating. She said that he had lost his sense of humor and that he sometimes did not recognize her. She also said that she had prepared for his death by taking him to a doctor, going shopping for a coffin, and making a video will with him.
Donald Silverman passed away peacefully on May 11, 2023, with his family by his side. Sarah Silverman announced his death on Instagram, posting a series of photos of him and writing, “My best pal, Schleppy – my dad, died last night. All the sisters, and grandkids surrounded him with love and singing and very dark f–ked up jokes this final week.”
She also said that he wanted to be with his love, Janice, who had died a week earlier. She asked her fans to donate to Second Nurture, a charity that supports foster and adoptive families, in lieu of a Shiva. She received many condolences and tributes from her friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry, who praised Donald Silverman’s kindness, intelligence, and humor.
Donald Silverman is survived by his four daughters, Sarah, Laura, Susan, and Jody, and his eight grandchildren. He will be remembered as a loving father, a funny man, and a human good doer.
