Larry Storch
Storch in 1967
Born
Lawrence Samuel Storch

(1923-01-08)January 8, 1923
New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 8, 2022(2022-07-08) (aged 99)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1939–2005
Spouse
Norma Catherine Greve
​
​
(m. 1961; died 2003)​
Children3

Lawrence Samuel Storch (January 8, 1923 – July 8, 2022)[1] was an American actor and comedian best known for his comic television roles, including voice-over work for cartoon shows such as Mr. Whoopee on Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales and his live-action role of the bumbling Corporal Randolph Agarn on F Troop which won a nomination for Emmy Award in 1967.

Early life

Lawrence Samuel Storch was born in New York City on January 8, 1923, the son of Alfred Storch, a cabdriver and broker, and his wife, Sally Kupperman Storch, a telephone operator, jewelry-store owner and rooming-house operator. The Washington Post reported that he was born in The Bronx,[2] whereas The New York Times reported that he was born in Manhattan[3] and The Wall Street Journal reported that he was born on the Upper West Side.[4] His parents were observant Jews.[5] He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx with Don Adams, who remained his lifelong friend. Storch said that, because of hard times in the Great Depression, he never graduated from high school, instead finding work as a comic for $12 a week, opening for bandleader Al Donahue at the band shell in Sheepshead Bay.[4]

During World War II, he served in the United States Navy, where he was shipmates with Tony Curtis on the submarine tender USS Proteus (AS-19).[6]

Career

Performing

Storch was originally a comic. It led to guest appearances on dozens of television series: Mannix; Car 54, Where Are You?; Hennesey; Get Smart; Sergeant Bilko; Columbo; CHiPs; Fantasy Island; McCloud; Emergency!; The Flying Nun; Alias Smith and Jones; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; That Girl; I Dream of Jeannie; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.; Gilligan's Island; The Doris Day Show; The Persuaders; Love, American Style; All in the Family; and Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

Storch, top right, with F Troop cast (1965)

His most famous role was from 1965 to 1967 as the scheming Corporal Randolph Agarn on the situation comedy F Troop, with Forrest Tucker, Ken Berry, and Melody Patterson, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1967.[3] Other memorable performances from the sixties were Texas Jack in the barroom brawl scene of The Great Race and the eponymous character in the Groovy Guru episode of Get Smart.

In 1975, Storch co-starred with Bob Burns (who wore a gorilla costume) and Forrest Tucker on the short-lived but popular Saturday morning children's show The Ghost Busters. He also appeared on The Love Boat, S1 E15 & S2 E9 (1978); was Al Bundy's childhood hero on Married... with Children (Al Bundy's daughter Kelly attended an acting school operated by Larry); and was a semi-regular on Car 54, Where Are You?. He co-starred on the short-lived series The Queen and I.

Variety show appearances

Storch appeared on many variety shows, including Sonny and Cher, Laugh-In, Hollywood Squares, Playboy After Dark, and The Hollywood Palace, with several appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Steve Allen Show. Jackie Gleason asked Storch to fill in for him in the summer of 1953 while Gleason was on hiatus. It led to the 10-episode The Larry Storch Show with guest stars including Janet Blair, Risë Stevens, Dick Haymes, and Cab Calloway.

As an impressionist and voiceover actor

An impressionist, Storch recreated hundreds of voices and dialects ranging from Muhammad Ali to Claude Rains and voiced characters in many television and film animations, including The Pink Panther Show, Groovie Goolies, The Inspector, The Brady Kids, Cool Cat, Koko the Clown, Treasure Island, and Tennessee Tuxedo.

Storch worked with Mel Blanc and June Foray at Warner Bros.-Seven Arts, voicing characters such as Merlin the Magic Mouse and Cool Cat. He continued his association with Filmation as a voiceover actor in other series and films the company produced, including Journey Back to Oz (1972) where he voiced Amos, farmhand to Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.

Film appearances

Storch appeared in more than 25 Hollywood films, including Gun Fever (1958), Who Was That Lady? (1960), 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962), Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), Wild and Wonderful (1964), Sex and the Single Girl (1964), and The Great Race (1965). He also appeared in Bus Riley's Back in Town (1965), A Very Special Favor (1965), That Funny Feeling, (1965), The Great Bank Robbery (1969), Airport 1975 (1974), The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington (1977), Record City (1978), S.O.B (1981), Fake-Out (1982), Sweet Sixteen (1983), and A Fine Mess (1986), as well as the cult sci-fi films The Monitors (1969) and Without Warning (1980). Tony Curtis and Storch reunited for a 2003 run of the musical version of Some Like It Hot. In 2005, he worked with Anthony Michael Hall in Funny Valentine and appeared in the documentary feature The Aristocrats.

Stage work

After success in television and films, Storch returned to the New York stage, having first performed on the Broadway stage in the 1950s.[7] He received rave reviews for the Off-Broadway production of Breaking Legs. Co-starring Philip Bosco and Vincent Gardenia, the show extended several times before going on the road. Storch appeared in the Broadway productions of Porgy and Bess (which Storch considered his favorite), Arsenic and Old Lace with Jean Stapleton, Marion Ross, and Jonathan Frid, and Annie Get Your Gun with Reba McEntire. He toured the United States and Europe with Porgy and Bess.

In 2004, he was in Sly Fox with Richard Dreyfuss and his old friend Irwin Corey. Larry, then 81 and "Professor" Corey, 90, did eight shows a week. In March 2008, Storch celebrated his 50th anniversary performing on Broadway. His first Broadway appearance had been Who Was That Lady I Saw You With, later made into a 1960 film starring Dean Martin and Tony Curtis, with Storch appearing.

Storch and Dark Shadows star Marie Wallace appeared in Love Letters by A. R. Gurney on June 24, 2012, a benefit performance for the Actor's Temple in New York City.[8]

In the summer of 2012, Storch appeared in a benefit performance of Love Letters with actress Diana Sowle (best known for her role as Mrs. Bucket in the original Willy Wonka film) in Farmville, Virginia to benefit The Tom Mix Rangers.

Comedy LPs

Storch recorded a comedy LP, Larry Storch at The Bon Soir, released by Jubilee Records in the 1960s. His other records include Larry Storch Reads Philip Roth's Epstein and singles such as "Pooped" b/w "The Eighth Wonder Of The World" and "I'm Walkin'".

A month before he died, Storch recorded the blues song Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee with Mike Clark and his trio. The song was posthumously released soon after Storch’s passing.

Personal life

Storch married actress Norma Catherine Greve on July 10, 1961. They remained married until her death at age 81 on August 28, 2003. Both briefly appeared in the made-for-television movie The Woman Hunter (1972). He had three children: a stepson, Lary May; a daughter, Candace Herman, the result of a brief encounter with his future wife, born in 1947 and placed for adoption (and later reunited); and a stepdaughter, June Cross, born in 1954 to Norma and Jimmy Cross ("Stump" of the song-and-dance team Stump and Stumpy).[9][10]

Storch's younger brother, Jay (1924–1987), was an actor/voiceover performer under the name Jay Lawrence.

Death

Larry Storch died at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on July 8, 2022, at the age of 99. The Associated Press reported that he died from natural causes.[11] The Washington Post reported that he died from complications of Alzheimer's disease.[2][12]

Honors and tributes

Storch in 2011

Storch was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1967 for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series for F Troop. Storch lost to childhood friend Don Adams that year. Storch said he later remarked to Adams, “You kept it on the block.”

An episode of Animaniacs titled "The Sound of Warners" features a banner that says "Larry Storch Days / Nov 13 & 14".

In Fort Lee, New Jersey, Mayor Mark Sokolich named Storch as honorary Mayor for a Day on June 1, 2014. Storch had previously been honored by the local film commission for performing at the Riviera nightclub, which had closed 60 years earlier.[13] He received the 2013 Barrymore Award for Lifetime Achievement in Film and TV from the Fort Lee Film Commission.

A Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to Storch in 2014.[14]

Larry was honored at the Metropolitan Room in New York City on July 10, 2016 with an award and many special guests. You can see it on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ezw3DH2vLUM

Storch was named an honorary citizen of Passaic, New Jersey, on September 13, 2016. He also received a Navy Distinguished Service Medal to recognise his World War II service.[15]

On January 14, 2019, The Lambs honored Storch with their Shepherd's Award.

Wild West City, an amusement park in New Jersey, renamed one of its storefronts “Larry Storch’s Silver Dollar Saloon” in his honor.[16]

Storch was named an Honorary Friar in early 2019 at a ceremony with Dick Cavett at the New York Friars Club.

On his 97th birthday, Storch was presented with a Proclamation from the State of New York.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1951The Prince Who Was a Thief
1958Gun FeverAmigo
1959The Last BlitzkriegEnnis
1960Who Was That Lady?Orenov
196240 Pounds of TroubleFloyd
1963Captain Newman, M.D.Cpl. Gavoni
1964Wild and WonderfulRufus Gibbs
1964Sex and the Single GirlMotorcycle Cop
1965Bus Riley's Back in TownHowie
1965Pink PantherNarrator / Talking Weight Machine / ManTwo shorts
1965The Great RaceTexas Jack
1965A Very Special FavorHarry the Taxi Driver
1965That Funny FeelingLuther
1965-1966The InspectorThe Commissioner / SurgeonTwo shorts
1967I Dream of JeannieSamS3E1 Fly Me to the Moon
1968Mannix: Another Final ExitBernie Farmer
1968That GirlJohn McKenzie
1968The Wild Bull ReturnsManuel Cortez
1969Get Smart “The Groovy Guru” Groovy Guru
1969The Great Bank RobberyJuan
1969The MonitorsP.A. Stutz
1969-1970The Pink Panther ShowThe Commissioner / Surgeon / Narrator / Talking Weight Machine / Man10-12 episodes
1970Hard FrameRudy LeRoyTV movie
1971Aesop's FablesHare, Rooster and Old TortoiseVoice, TV movie
1972Journey Back to OzAmosVoice
1973Treasure IslandCaptain SmollettVoice
1973All In The FamilyBill MulheronS3E16 Oh Say Can You See
1974Oliver TwistMagistrate FangVoice
1974ColumboMr. WeeklyNegative Reaction
1974Airport 1975Glenn Purcell
1977The Happy Hooker Goes to WashingtonRobby Boggs
1978Record CityDeaf Man
1980Without WarningScoutmaster
1981S.O.B.The Guru
1981Peter-No-TailMaxVoice, English version
1982Fake-OutTed
1982The Flight of DragonsPawnbrokerVoice
1983Sweet SixteenEarl
1986The Perils of P.K.
1986A Fine MessLeopold Klop
1987Medium Rare
1992I Don't Buy Kisses AnymoreGiora
1994The Silence of the HamsSergeant
1995Married... with ChildrenHimselfEpisode: Something Larry This Way Comes (S9, E21)
2005Funny ValentineDennis
2005Bittersweet PlaceIra Tatz
2005The AristocratsHimselfFinal Role
TBAOne of Our Monsters and Robots Are Missing[17] Don Grundy (voice)Final animated film role

References

  1. ↑ "UPI Almanac for Monday, Jan. 8, 2018". United Press International. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2019. …comic actor Larry Storch in 1923 (age 95)
  2. 1 2 Schudel, Matt (July 8, 2022). "Larry Storch, comic actor in TV sitcom 'F Troop,' dies at 99". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Genzlinger, Neil (July 8, 2022). "Larry Storch, Comic Actor Best Known for 'F Troop,' Dies at 99". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Yost, Mark (June 22, 2012). "At Age 89, 'F Troop' Figure Holding the Fort on Acting". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Larry Storch profile". Film Reference. Retrieved August 26, 2010.
  6. ↑ Malone, Aubrey (September 21, 2013). The Defiant One: A Biography of Tony Curtis. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. p. 13. ISBN 978-1476605678. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  7. ↑ Larry Storch at the Internet Broadway Database
  8. ↑ Rickwald, Bethany (May 9, 2012). "Larry Storch, Marie Wallace to Star in Benefit Performance of A.R. Gurney's Love Letters". TheaterMania. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  9. ↑ Douglas, Martin (September 21, 2003). "Norma Storch Is Dead at 81. Subject of TV Documentary". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2010. The truth was that Ms. Cross was the child of an affair Mrs. Storch had had with Jimmy Cross, a black song-and-dance man who was Stump in the well-known performing team Stump and Stumpy
  10. ↑ "Norma Storch, 81; Focus of Daughter's PBS Documentary". Los Angeles Times. September 15, 2003. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  11. ↑ Elber, Lynn (July 8, 2022). "Larry Storch, zany Cpl. Agarn on TV's 'F Troop', dies at 99". Associated Press. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  12. ↑ Barnes, Mike (July 8, 2022). "Larry Storch, Corporal Randolph Agarn on 'F Troop', Dies at 99". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  13. ↑ Moss, Linda (June 1, 2014). "Fort Lee welcomes TV comedian Larry Storch as mayor for a day". The Record. Woodland Park, NJ. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  14. ↑ Lederer, Andrew J. (December 6, 2017). "Larry Storch: Still a Stand-Up Guy". HuffPost.
  15. ↑ Cowen, Richard (September 13, 2016). "Actor who played Passaic corporal in '60s sitcom 'F Troop' visits city for first time". The Record. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ Jennings, Rob (June 17, 2019). "N.J. western-themed park isn't closing, after all". The Star-Ledger. Newark. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  17. ↑ "One of Our Monsters & Robots Are Missing". One of Our Monsters & Robots Are Missing.

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