Biografia
At just eleven years old, Larry entered show business after witnessing a magician perform at a Cub Scout event. By fourteen, he was performing magic professionally and, over the next six years, earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after young entertainers in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
During this time, Larry also discovered another passion that would significantly shape his career—sales. Inspired by carnival pitchmen, he crafted a sales pitch around a trick deck of cards and began traveling to fairs, selling decks for two dollars each. At the Minnesota State Fair, a seasoned pitchman noticed his talent and introduced him to the world of products like Ginsu knives, Roll-A-Matic kitchen mops, the Miracle Slicer, and many others that Larry would promote intermittently over the next twenty years.
Before relocating to California, Larry spent two years at the University of Minnesota studying theatre arts, followed by training at Brown Institute in television production. He worked as a cameraman for ABC and PBS affiliates in the Twin Cities, but the allure of fame and fortune led him westward.
In California, Larry quickly secured a position with Mark Wilson, a nationally recognized magician and president of a rising entertainment company. His duties included serving as a technical advisor for film and TV projects featuring magic. As a consultant and instructor for Bill Bixby on NBC's The Magician, Larry appeared in numerous episodes, which opened his eyes to a new career path.
Determined to become an actor, Larry immersed himself in acting classes, films, and theater productions, absorbing all he could about the craft. He studied dramatic acting under renowned instructors such as Stella Adler, Robert Lewis, and Jose Quintero. However, it was a comedy improvisation workshop that spurred his greatest growth as a performer. From this workshop, Tap City emerged—an improv troupe Larry directed and performed with weekly at Hollywood’s famed Comedy Store. Years later, he would create and teach his own comedy workshop at Los Angeles’ Chamber Theatre.
While struggling as an actor, Larry supported himself by working as a pitchman at fairs and trade shows. His breakthrough came when he landed a lead role in his first TV series—the NBC sitcom Brothers and Sisters. Although it lasted only one season, the show paved the way for many guest appearances on series 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 more.
Not content with focusing solely on acting, Larry broadened his skills by taking courses in cinematography, screenwriting, lighting, editing, and directing. Applying these skills, he directed two critically acclaimed plays in Los Angeles and wrote, produced, and directed numerous short films and videos. He also penned several screenplays and served as Associate Producer on Hot Moves, released theatrically in 1985.
Following an acting role on a Turner Broadcasting sitcom, Larry was offered the chance to direct an episode, earning him membership in the Directors Guild of America. His debut directing effort was so well received that he was hired to direct a second episode shortly thereafter.
Another major opportunity arose when Larry auditioned for and was cast by Aaron Spelling and Lucille Ball as her son-in-law on the ABC sitcom Life with Lucy. Though this show also lasted one season, it led to a pivotal guest appearance on The Tonight Show. Watching from home, Ralph Edwards was impressed by Larry’s "magical" eight-minute segment with Johnny Carson and hired him to host the new Truth or Consequences.
Since then, Larry has hosted a weekly water-sports series on the Travel Channel called Get Wet, as well as game shows like the California Lottery's Big Spin and Trivia Track on the Game Show Network. On the big screen, Larry appeared as an enemy alien (barely recognizable) in Paramount’s Star Trek: Insurrection.
In recent years, Larry has hosted or served as the "product expert" for numerous successful infomercial campaigns, including George Foreman’s Party Grill and Rotisserie Oven, Wagner’s Wall-Magic Home Decorating System, Time-Life Music’s Rock & Roll Era, AM Gold, Classic Love Songs of the 60s, and the I-DAPZ Active Eyewear System. His favorite infomercial is one he wrote, produced, and stars in—JawDroppers—a series of how-to videotapes teaching viewers to perform astonishing magic tricks using everyday objects.
Bringing his professional journey full circle back to magic, Larry eagerly anticipates what the next chapter of his career will bring.
