Larry was just eleven years old when he delved into show business after
seeing a magician perform at a Cub Scout function. By the time he was
fourteen he was performing magic professionally, and over the next six
years developed a reputation as one of the hottest young entertainers
in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Along the way, Larry discovered another art form that would have a
marked influence on his career - sales. Fascinated by carnival
pitchmen, he developed a sales pitch around a trick deck of cards and
began working a circuit of fairs hawking his cards for two bucks a
deck. At the Minnesota State Fair he was spotted by a career pitchman
who recognized his talents and introduced him to the world of Ginsu
knives, Roll-A-Matic kitchen mops, the Miracle Slicer and a host of
other products he would sell off and on over the next twenty years.
Before moving to California, Larry attended two years at the University
of Minnesota majoring in theatre arts, and then Brown Institute where
he studied television production and worked as a cameraman at the ABC
and PBS affiliates in the Twin Cities. But, fame and fortune beckoned
so Larry headed west.
He quickly landed a job with nationally known magician and president of
an emerging entertainment company, Mark Wilson. Among his many
assignments was serving as the technical advisor for film and
television projects incorporating magic as part of their theme. As
consultant and teacher to Bill Bixby on the NBC series The Magician,
Larry appeared in many of the episodes, opening his eyes to a whole new
career.
With his new goal of becoming an actor, Larry immersed himself in
acting classes, movies, and plays to learn everything he could about
the craft. He studied dramatic acting from such notable teachers as
Stella Adler, Robert Lewis and Jose Quintero. But it was in a comedy
improvisation workshop where Larry experienced the most growth as a
performer. Out of this workshop grew Tap City, an improv troupe he
directed and performed in each week at Hollywood's famous Comedy Store.
Years later, Larry would form and teach his own comedy workshop at the
Chamber Theatre in Los Angeles.
As a struggling actor, Larry kept the bills paid working the occasional
fair or trade show as a pitchman. His big break came when he landed one
of the lead roles in his first TV series -- an NBC sitcom called
Brothers and Sisters. The show lasted only one season but opened the
door to numerous guest-star appearances on shows like, Charlie's
Angels, Happy Days, Knight Rider, Mork and Mindy, The A-Team, Matlock,
Night Court, Beverly Hills 90210, Boston Public, The O.C., Raising The
Bar, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men, Everybody Loves Chris and many
more.
Not content working in just one aspect of the industry, Larry began
expanding his interests into film production - taking courses in
cinematography, screenwriting, lighting, editing and directing. Putting
his new skills to work, he directed two critically acclaimed plays in
Los Angeles and wrote, produced, and directed numerous film and video
shorts. He also wrote several screenplays and served as Associate
Producer on one of them, Hot Moves, which was released theatrically in
1985.
After an acting stint on a TV sitcom for Turner Broadcasting, Larry was
given the opportunity to direct an episode, which earned him his
membership in the Directors Guild of America. His debut effort was so
well received he was hired to direct a second episode some weeks later.
Then came another big break. Larry auditioned for and was chosen by
Aaron Spelling and Lucille Ball to play her son-in-law on the ABC
sitcom Life with Lucy. This too lasted only one season, but afforded
Larry a fateful guest appearance on the Tonight Show. Watching at home
that night was Ralph Edwards who - based on Larry's "magical" eight
minutes with Johnny Carson - hired him as host of the new Truth or
Consequences.
Since then, Larry hosted a weekly water-sports series for the Travel
Channel called Get Wet and other game shows including the California
Lottery's Big Spin, and Trivia Track for the Game Show Network. On the
big screen, Larry appeared (though hardly recognizable) as an enemy
alien in the Paramount film Star Trek: Insurrection.
In recent years, Larry has hosted or been the "product expert" on
numerous successful infomercial campaigns. Among these are George
Foreman's Party Grill and Rotisserie Oven shows, Wagner's Wall-Magic
Home Decorating System, Time-Life Music's Rock & Roll Era, AM Gold, and
Classic Love Songs of The 60's shows, and the I-DAPZ Active Eyewear
System. Larry's favorite Infomercial is one he wrote, produced, and
stars in entitled JawDroppers - a set of how-to videotapes teaching
anyone to perform jaw-dropping magic tricks with everyday items.
With his professional endeavors coming full-circle back to magic, Larry
can't wait to see what lies around the next career corner.
