DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : HARTLEY SILVER.

Hartley Silver, 49, of North Hollywood has been an active member of the Jewish Big Brothers Program of Los Angeles for the last nine years - simply because he wanted a child in his life. He said he has made a difference in the life of Jason Katz, his one and only little brother. ``I have helped him develop self-confidence, direction and a sense of self-worth, which is what Big Brothers is all about.''

AGE: 49.

BORN AND RAISED IN: Pueblo, Colo. He came to Van Nuys in 1979.

OCCUPATION: Actor.

MARITAL STATUS: Married 19 years to wife Patricia.

PETS: Three dogs: Danny, Sniffy and Murry.

BIGGEST DILEMMA: ``The profession I love the best is the riskiest. I don't know if I am going to be working the next week or not.'' His other dilemma is ``with my relationship with Jason. It is saying goodbye. He is going off to Berkeley (for college). Saying goodbye to this particular (big brother/little brother) relationship is bittersweet.''

MOST DIFFICULT DAILY TASK ``Coping with the insecurities of my career.''

FAVORITE DAILY TASK: ``I love to cook. Every day when my wife comes home, I love it when I can cook my wife supper. It gives her a lift.''

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: ``Sometimes I am disappointed that my wife and I never had children, but the fact that we haven't had children has given us freedom and more time to spend with each other.''

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: ``I have the love of a wonderful woman and I have kept her sticking around for 19 years.''

GOALS FOR THE FUTURE: ``I would like to continue (working) for WATCH, We Are the Community Helpers. We work with the LAPD in the Valley doing surveillances, being eyes and ears for the police in high-crime areas.''

WHO RELIES ON YOU THE MOST AND WHO YOU RELY ON: ``My wife and I are a big part of each other's lives. I rely on my wife because she is smart. If I am ever in a quandary, she has been a good counselor and adviser.''

ROLE MODELS: ``Theodore Roosevelt. He was independent, honest, a self-starter and a doer, not a talker. Also, my next-door neighbor Robert Curiel. He is one of the hardest-working men I have ever known. He works two jobs and has raised two wonderful children.''

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?: ``Being good at the thing you most want to do. George Halas, the founder of the Chicago Bears, said, `Figure out the thing you would do as a hobby and do that as a career.' ''

ANY VICES: ``Fried foods and too much television.''

FAVORITE VALLEY HANGOUTS: Chris and Pitts Barbecue in Van Nuys. ``Their steaks and burgers are among the best and the cheapest in the Valley. It is where the waitresses know you, call you `hon,' and it's a place where you can relax.''

FAVORITE FOODS: Good delicatessen. A brisket sandwich at Drexler's in North Hollywood and any type of Chinese food.''

FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: ``Walking the dogs and going on a lot of walks with my wife downtown with the Los Angeles Conservancy.''

HOBBIES: ``We just got a computer with a lot of bells and whistles. My wife is teaching me how to use it, and slowly but surely I will become friends with it.''

WHAT MAGAZINES DO YOU READ?: American Spectator and Newsweek.

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW: ``My wife and I just saw `Dragonheart.' It was a lot of fun.''

FAVORITE TV SHOWS: `` `The John Larroquette Show.' It is the most clever and witty thing on TV.''

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