Biography
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 Whale's The Road Back (1937), a sequel to All Quiet on the Western Front (1930). He appeared in other films for Universal including a string of 1938 films, Trouble at Midnight (1937), Air Devils (1938), Nurse from Brooklyn (1938), and The Jury's Secret (1938). 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)
Acted in 135
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
- 1975
Search for the Gods
Jailer
- 1974
- 1973
The Stone Killer
Police Commissioner
Bonnie's Kids
Poker Player with Glasses
- 1972
Kung Fu
Dave Etling · 1 episode
- 1971
One More Train to Rob
Barber (uncredited)
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
- 1968
Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?
Salesman (uncredited)
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
First Outspoken Man (uncredited)
Carnival Nights
Policeman
- 1967
- 1966
The Swinger
Honest Hal (uncredited)
The Rare Breed
Auctioneer (uncredited)
- 1965
That Funny Feeling
Policeman
- 1964
- 1963
- 1962
Flashing Spikes
1st Reporter
Saints and Sinners
Tom Parnell · 2 episodes
- 1961
Portrait of a Mobster
John Murphy
- 1960
Coronado 9
Harry Matthews · 1 episode
Who Was That Lady?
Tenant (uncredited)
1950s
- 1959
City of Fear
Movie
- 1958
Outcasts of the City
Movie
- 1957
Escape from San Quentin
Hap's Lead Henchman
Man of a Thousand Faces
David T. Stone (uncredited)
Band of Angels
Auctioneer
Meet McGraw
Officer Vines, Police Lieutenant · 1 episode
- 1956
You Can't Run Away from It
Detective
The Man Is Armed
Ray Perkins
Hey, Jeannie!
Charlie Martin · 1 episode
While the City Sleeps
Tim
- 1955
Inside Detroit
Max Harkness (as Larry Blake)
Teen-Age Crime Wave
Connors
The Twinkle In God's Eye
Deputy sheriff
General Electric Theater: Into the Night
Patrolman
Dial Red O
Wayne - Waiter (uncredited)
- 1954
- 1953
Cruisin' Down the River
Dave Singer
Remains to Be Seen
Minetti
General Electric Theater
Reporter Wells · 1 episode
- 1952
Stop, You're Killing Me
Police Captain
- 1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Bill Harmon · 2 episodes
Iron Man
Ralph Crowley (uncredited)
Rhubarb
Police Radio Voice (uncredited) (voice)
In Old Amarillo
Stan Benson (uncredited)
One Too Many
Walt Williams
- 1950
Destination Big House
Pete Weiss
1940s
- 1949
The Blonde Bandit
Capt. Ed Roberts
The Lucky Stiff
Louie Perez (as Larry Blake)
- 1948
French Leave
Schultyz (as Larry Blake)
The Hunted
Hollis Smith (as Larry Blake)
- 1947
Second Chance
Det. Sgt. Sharpe
Backlash
Detective Lieutenant Jerry McMullen
- 1946
Magnificent Doll
Charles (uncredited)
The Undercover Woman
Simon Gillette
- 1944
Maisie Goes to Reno
Policeman (Uncredited)
- 1940
The Boys from Syracuse
Announcer
1930s
- 1939
Two Thoroughbreds
Truck Driver
They Made Her a Spy
Ben Dawson
Sudden Money
Interviewer
- 1938
Young Fugitives
Silent Sam
Air Devils
John P. 'Horseshoe' Donovan
The Nurse from Brooklyn
Larry Craine
State Police
Trigger Magee
The Jury's Secret
Bill Sheldon
- 1937
Trouble at Midnight
Tony Michaels (as Larry Blake)
The Road Back
Weil (as Larry Blake)
Secret Agent X-9
Chief FBI Agent Wheeler (as Larry Blake)