Larry Drake Dead at 66: Hollywood Mourns Loss of ‘LA Law’ Favorite Benny Stulwicz


Larry Drake, probably best known for his portrayal of Benny Stulwicz in the TV drama LA Law, is dead. Drake’s agent confirmed the news during a USA Today interview. He went on to add to add:

“He was such a nice man and a great actor.”

The Emmy award-winning actor was found dead in his Hollywood Hills home earlier today. Apparently, he had been dealing with multiple health issues. The cause of the 66-year-old’s death is unknown at this time.

Larry Drake appeared on LA Law from 1987 until 1994, when the show ended. His character, Benny, was a mentally-challenged man who was an integral part of the law firm where he was employed.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Drake joined the popular NBC show during the second season. His character was so well received that he was asked to stay on as a regular for Season 3. The rest is history.

Larry Drake was proud of the way he was able to bring Benny to life. He indicated such in a 1989 interview, saying he “portrayed Benny not as a stereotype, but as a man with a full range of emotions.”

Movie-wise, he starred in several movies. They include Darkman, Darkman II, The Journey of August King, Dr. Giggles, and Bean… just to name a few. You might also remember him from the ABC drama Prey, which was quite short-lived.

He also had numerous voice roles to his credit, most notably in the animated What’s New, Scooby-Doo, Johnny Bravo, and Batman Beyond.

Whitney Smith, an employee of Drake’s management office, had this to say about her friend Larry’s long time struggle with weight issues. She explained how he joked about how it greatly affected his lack of work in the industry:

“Larry was aware that overweight people are under-represented in Hollywood. He would say that people in casting calls acted as if they might catch the fat from him.”

Charles Pogue, Larry Drake’s collaborator, gave Fox News a bit of insight in regard to the life of his long-time friend.

He was very learned, well-read and intellectual. And, a great wit and storyteller who was often the last to leave a party. Although Drake sometimes chafed at being typecast, he appreciated the opportunities he had.

In recent years, Larry Drake had devoted much of his free time to teaching. He began teaching at the Stephen Book Acting Workshop in 2006, where he specialized in improv.

Workshop owner Stephen Book summed up Drake’s teaching abilities this way.

Larry was a terrific teacher. And his students adored him. They would send me notes about how much they appreciated his classes.”

He mentioned the fact that when he saw the actor, just last week, he seemed to be doing well after a recent foot-related medical procedure.

Larry Drake was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He graduated from University of Oklahoma. At this time, details on surviving family members are not available.

Are you a fan of this well-loved actor’s work? Did you keep up with Benny Stulwicz on LA Law? If so, feel free to comment on your favorite episode or “Benny moment,” as Hollywood and the rest of the nation mourn the passing of Larry Drake.

[Photo by Lennox McLendon/AP Images]

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