is an American film writer and producer, best known for the 1980 MGM movie Fame. De Silva retained the stage rights to the film, and, conceived and developed Fame - The Musical, which has since been produced in many countries around the world, leading De Silva to be known as "Father Fame", and launching a foundation called the Father Fame Foundation to promote theatre arts.
De Silva was born in New York City on August 14, 1936, and attended school in the Bronx and Queens. In 1957, he graduated from Queens College with a major in history. However, he had a keen interest in theatre and began studying with Stella Adler.
