Larry Drake obit

‘L.A. Law’ Star Larry Drake Dies at 66

He was not on the list.

Emmy-winning actor Larry Drake, who played Benny on “L.A. Law,” died Thursday, his rep confirmed. He was 66.

A cause of death has not yet been revealed. According to TMZ, which first reported the news, Drake was found dead by his friend in his Hollywood home.

Drake played the developmentally disabled office assistant Benny Stulwicz on “L.A. Law.,” which was praised for handling Benny’s odyssey in a very progressive fashion, especially for the time, as he gets the job, finds his own apartment and gets a girlfriend over time, sometimes having to fight for his legal rights with the help of the attorneys who employ him. Drake recurred on the series from 1987-94.

He was Emmy nominated for the role three times, in 1988, 1989 and 1990, winning the first two times out. He reprised the role for “L.A. Law: The Movie” in 2002.

The actor was equally memorable in Sam Raimi’s stylish Liam Neeson fantasy action film “Darkman” (1990) as the villainous Robert G. Durant, appearing in the sequels as well.

He also starred as the homicidal physician of the title in the 1992 horror movie “Dr. Giggles.”

Drake had a supporting role in Rowan Atkinson’s hit 1997 comedy “Bean” as Elmer, and he appeared in “American Pie 2” in 2001 as Natalie’s dad.

In television, Drake was a series regular on ABC’s sci-fi series “Prey” in 1998 as Dr. Walter Attwood. Debra Messing and Frankie Faison were also in the cast.

In the 2000s, he nabbed a handful of voicework roles for animated TV series and guested on “Six Feet Under,” “Crossing Jordan,” “7th Heaven” and “Boston Legal.”

The actor had most recently appeared in the 2009 horror film “Dead Air,” directed by and starring his “L.A. Law” co-star Corbin Bernsen.

Drake was born in Tulsa and graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

The actor began appearing in small roles in movies in the early 1970s and made his television debut in a 1983 adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s “The Skin of Our Teeth” on PBS’ “American Playhouse.”

He was married to actress Ruth de Sosa from 1989 until their divorce two years later.

Filmography

Film

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1971      This Stuff'll Kill Ya             Bubba  

1975      Trucker's Woman             Diesel Joe           

1976      The Electric Chair             Courtroom Observer      Uncredited

1976      Date with a Kidnapper   Age Home Attendant     

1978      The Seniors         Bus Sign Installer              Uncredited

1980      The Big Brawl     Judge #1             

1981      The White Lions                Fiske     

1981      Dark Night of the Scarecrow        Bubba Ritter       TV movie

1983      The Taming of the Shrew              Baptista                Short

1984      The Karate Kid   Yahoo #1 at Beach          

1986      The Ladies Club                 Cop No. 2           

1988      For Keeps            Night Clerk         

1988      Too Good to Be True       Glen Robie          TV movie

1989      Oh, Henry!          Henry    TV movie

1990      Darkman              Robert G. Durant              Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor

1991      Murder in New Hampshire: The Pamela Wojas Smart Story           Mark Sisti            TV movie

1992      Dr. Giggles          Doctor Evan Rendell (Dr. Giggles)             

1992      Blind Geronimo and His Brother                Unknown           

1994      One More Mountain       Patrick Breen     TV movie

1995      Darkman II: The Return of Durant              Robert G. Durant              Direct-to-video

1995      The Journey of August King          Olaf Singletary  

1996      The Beast            Lucas Coven       TV movie

1997      Bean      Elmer   

1998      Overnight Delivery           Hal Ipswich        

1998      Paranoia              Calvin Hawks     

1998      The Treat             Ray        

1999      Inferno Ramsey Hogan

1999      Durango Kids      Dudley

2000      Runaway Virus Dr. Griggs            TV movie

2000      Time of Her Time              Dr. Joyce             

2000      Timequest           J. Edgar Hoover                

2001      American Pie 2 Natalie's Dad     

2001      Dark Asylum       The Trasher       

2002      L.A. Law: The Movie        Benny Stulwicz TV movie

2002      Spun      Dr. K     

2005      Jenny Says           Dr. Weinhouse Short

2005      I Will Avenge You, Iago!                 The Warden      

2005      Officer Down      Captain Raymond Taggart             TV movie

2005      Mrs. Harris          Harris, Defense Team Psychiatrist             TV movie

2006      Living the Dream              Richard                

2006      Love Hollywood Style     Walter

2006      National Lampoon's Dorm Daze 2              Dean Dryer        

2007      Gryphon              Armand               

2008      Pathology            Fat Bastard        

2009      Green Lantern: First Flight            Ganthet               Direct-to-video

2009      Dead Air               Vernon

2016      The Secrets of Emily Blair              John Doe             (final film role)

Television

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1983      American Playhouse       Conveener / Homer        Episode: The Skin of Our Teeth

1983      Hardcastle and McCormick           Jesse Roberts     Episode: "Just Another Round of That Old Song"

1986      Code of Vengeance         Jack Fergusen    Episode: "Rustler's Moon"

1987      Hunter Kirkland                Episode: "Hot Pursuit, Part 2"

1987–1994          L.A. Law                Benny Stulwicz 143 episodes

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1988–1989)

Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series (1988–1989)

Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1989–1990, 1992)

Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1990)

1989      Tales from the Crypt       Santa     Episode: "And All Through the House"

1990      Tales from the Crypt       Tobias   Episode: "The Secret"

1995      The Outer Limits               Robert Vitale      Episode: "The Message"

1995      The Naked Truth               Dr. Bryce Fromm              Episode: "Elvis Is Coming!"

1996      Superman: The Animated Series                Mr. Eelan             Episode: "My Girl"

1997      Spy Game            Leo Ludwig          Episode: "Well, Nothing to Fear but Death Itself"

1997      Dead Man's Gun               Samuel "Buryin' Sam" Roller        Episode: "Buryin' Sam"

1998      Prey       Dr. Walter Attwood         14 episodes

1998      Fantasy Island    Bill Terken           Episode: "Estrogen"

1999      Batman Beyond                Jackson Chappell              Episode: "The Winning Edge"

1999–2004          Johnny Bravo     Pops      34 episodes

2000      The Fearing Mind             Police Officer Hooper     Episode: "On the Road"

2000      Star Trek: Voyager           Chellick                 Episode: "Critical Care"

2001      Stargate SG-1     Burrock                Episode: "Beast of Burden"

2001      Thieves                 Robert Ventana                Episode: "The Long Con"

2002      As Told by Ginger             Dr. Weinstein     Episode: "Never Can Say Goodbye"

2002      Six Feet Under   Inspector Gerson             Episode: "The Last Time"

2002      A Nero Wolfe Mystery   Hackett                Episode: "Help Wanted, Male"

2002      Firefly    Sir Warwick Harrow        Episode: "Shindig"

2003      Crossing Jordan                 Tom       Episode: "Wild Card"

2003      Justice League   Colonel Vox        Episode: "Maid of Honor" Parts 1 & 2

2004      What's New, Scooby-Doo?           Moss T. Meister                Episode: "Recipe for Disaster"

2006      7th Heaven         Mr. Riley              Episode: "And More Secrets"

2008      Boston Legal       Bishop Luke Bernard       Episode: "The Gods Must Be Crazy"

Video games

Year       Title       Role       Notes

2008      Star Wars: The Force Unleashed                Kazdan Paratus Voice only