Born in Detroit, MI. Advertising executive with Disney and Fox who turned to producing and screenwriting in the mid-1950s. Silliphant won a best screenplay Oscar for the tense racial drama, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967), and was noted for his work on such TV series as "Naked City," "Perry Mason," "Mr. Lucky" and "Route 66." Later work includes THE ENFORCER (1976) and 1987's OVER THE TOP, co-written with Sylvester Stallone. Other notable writing credits, alone or in collaboration, include THE SLENDER THREAD (1965), CHARLY (1968), MARLOWE (1969), THE NEW CENTURIONS and THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (both 1972), THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974), THE SWARM (1978) and THE GRASS HARP (1995). He died of prostate cancer in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1996.  Writing (Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1967: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 1 nomination, 1 Award