Larry J. Blake
Larry J. Blake was born in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York on April 24, 1914. At the age of 18, his talent at impersonations and dialects grew into a vaudeville act. Blake eventually became a headliner, playing the Orpheum circuit, as well as the Roxy Theatre and the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center.
In 1936, he signed to a contract with Universal studios, and his first job was in the serial Secret Agent X-9 (1937). Right after that, he was chosen for a featured role in James Whal
With the outbreak of WWII, Blake joined the U.S. Navy serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He was mustered out and treated at a Naval hospital for his alcoholism. A Catholic priest helped Blake join Alcoholics Anonymous, and in 1946 he help start the first A.A. group for members of the motion picture industry.
Blake returned to acting in 1946, working steadily in supporting and bit parts throughout the 1950s. He is best known for his roles in Sunset Blvd. (1950) and High Noon (1952). In Sunset Boulevard he played the first finance man who comes to repossess William Holden's car. In High Noon, Blake played Gillis, the owner of the saloon who is punched by Gary Cooper.
As television's popularity began, Blake found plenty of work from westerns, crime dramas to comedies. He was a regular in The Pride of the Family (1953) television series, as well as the recurring part of the friendly jailer in Yancy Derringer (1958).
His last role was as the museum security guard in Time After Time (1979), when he was forced to retire due to emphysema. Until his death in 1982, Blake continued helping others in the A.A. program. (IMDB)
Born
Apr 24, 1914
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Died
May 25, 1982
Known For
Acting
Movies
84 acting
0 crew
Popularity
0.6
Known For
Sunset Boulevard
1950
as 1st Finance Man
Hang 'em High
1968
as Prisoner in Compound
High Noon
1952
as Gillis - Saloon Owner (uncredited)
Diamonds Are Forever
1971
as Water Balloon Game Barker-Operator (uncredited)
The Love Bug
1968
as Track Timekeeper (uncredited)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
1954
as Drunk (uncredited)
Demon Seed
1977
as Cameron
Herbie Rides Again
1974
as Police Officer
The Blue Gardenia
1953
as Music Shop Clerk (uncredited)
That Darn Cat!
1965
as Police Officer (uncredited)
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