New York - US actor Ron Silver, who was made famous for his roles in movies such as Ali and television show The West Wing, died at the age of 62 from oesophageal cancer, reported the New York Times in its Monday edition.

Born in 1946 as Ronald Zimelman, Silver won a Tony theatre award in 1988 for his performance in David Mamet's play Speed the Plow.

Silver was also politically active, participating in Bill Clinton's presidential campaign. However, despite overwhelming Hollywood opposition to the war in Iraq, he supported former president George W Bush. (dpa)