Larry J. Blake
Acting
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)
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
as Motorcycle cop
Age 42 (now 68)
Diamonds Are Forever
as Water Balloon Game Barker-Operator (uncredited)
Age 57 (now 68)
The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton
as Police Chief
Age 59 (now 68)
Diamonds Are Forever
as Water Balloon Game Barker-Operator (uncredited)
Age 57 (now 68)
Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?
as Salesman (uncredited)
Age 54 (now 68)
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
as First Outspoken Man (uncredited)
Age 53 (now 68)
Man of a Thousand Faces
as David T. Stone (uncredited)
Age 43 (now 68)
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers
as Motorcycle cop
Age 42 (now 68)
General Electric Theater: Into the Night
as Patrolman
Age 41 (now 68)
So You Want to Know Your Relatives
as Capt. Biff McGann (uncredited)
Age 40 (now 68)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
as Drunk (uncredited)
Age 40 (now 68)
Call Northside 777
as Police Photographic Technician (uncredited)
Age 33 (now 68)
Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman
as Emcee (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 68)
Secret Agent X-9
as Chief FBI Agent Wheeler (as Larry Blake)
Age 22 (now 68)
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
as Metcalf
Age 49 (now 68)
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
as Saloonkeeper Collins
Age 41 (now 68) The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
as Stagecoach Passenger
Age 41 (now 68) The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
as Dusty Wilson
Age 41 (now 68) The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
as Mr. Kenton (uncredited)
Age 41 (now 68)
The Wonderful World of Disney
as Drummer (uncredited)
Age 40 (now 68) The Wonderful World of Disney
as Police Chief
Age 40 (now 68) The Wonderful World of Disney
as Officer Ed Mercer (uncredited)
Age 40 (now 68)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Larry Blake, Joseph Vieira
IMDB
nm0086627