Larry J. Blake was born on April 24, 1914, in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York. At the tender age of 18, his exceptional talent for impersonations and dialects evolved into a vaudeville act, which eventually led to him becoming a headliner. He performed at esteemed venues such as the Orpheum circuit, the Roxy Theatre, and the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center.
In 1936, Blake signed a contract with Universal studios, and his first project was the serial Secret Agent X-9 in 1937. Following this, he was chosen for a featured role in James Whale's The Road Back, a sequel to All Quiet on the Western Front. He continued to appear in various films for Universal, including a string of 1938 releases: Trouble at Midnight, Air Devils, Nurse from Brooklyn, and The Jury's Secret.
As World War II broke out, Blake enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific. After being mustered out, he received treatment at a Naval hospital for his struggles with alcoholism. A Catholic priest assisted Blake in joining Alcoholics Anonymous, and in 1946, he helped establish the first A.A. group for members of the motion picture industry.
Blake returned to acting in 1946, securing steady work in supporting and bit parts throughout the 1950s. He is most renowned for his roles in Sunset Blvd. and High Noon. In Sunset Boulevard, he played the first finance man who comes to repossess William Holden's car. In High Noon, Blake portrayed Gillis, the owner of the saloon who is punched by Gary Cooper.
As television gained popularity, Blake found an abundance of work in westerns, crime dramas, and comedies. He was a regular cast member in The Pride of the Family television series and had a recurring role as the friendly jailer in Yancy Derringer.
Blake's final role was as the museum security guard in Time After Time in 1979, when he was forced to retire due to emphysema. Until his passing in 1982, Blake remained dedicated to helping others through the A.A. program.
