Larry Anderson (actor)

Last updated
Larry Anderson
Born (1952-09-22) September 22, 1952 (age 72)
Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, magician
Years active1966–present
FamilyJennifer Anderson (sister), Paul Randall (nephew), Taylor Randall (great niece), Brad Randall (nephew), Chris Randall (nephew)

Larry Anderson (born September 22, 1952) is an American actor and magician.

Contents

Early work

He originally started as an assistant to magician Mark Wilson in 1973, and was immediately put to work on the set of The Magician (starring Bill Bixby), assisting Wilson as the show's magic coordinator. He has since appeared in several television series and films, and is also known for his uncredited role as Michael Long (renamed Michael Knight later in the episode) in the pilot episode of the 1980s hit TV series Knight Rider . His voice was overdubbed by David Hasselhoff who, when the character was shot in the face and given plastic surgery, took over the role for the remainder of the series. [1]

Career

Anderson's other TV roles include The Six Million Dollar Man , Charlie's Angels , and The Amazing Spider-Man (all in 1977); the short lived 1979 TV series Brothers and Sisters ; and the soap opera, Days of Our Lives in 1987, appearing as James Dixon. He also hosted three game shows, the first being a revival of Truth or Consequences in 1987, The Big Spin from 1995 to 1996, and Trivia Track on GSN for a few months. He also co-starred with Lucille Ball as her son-in-law on her final television series, the short-lived Life With Lucy .

Anderson's movie appearances include Martians Go Home (1990), Eve of Destruction (1991), and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) as a Tarlac officer.

He has made guest appearances on TV shows including Happy Days , The A-Team , Mork & Mindy , Matlock , Matt Houston (1984 episode, “Apostle of Death”), and The O.C. Anderson also portrayed Ronald McDonald in at least one TV commercial for McDonald's.

Anderson also hosted a weekly quiz internet radio show on "Shokus Internet Radio" created by game show producer Ron Greenberg titled Anyone Can Play... But Don't Call Us, We'll Call You! from 2006-2008

He is also known for the "JawDroppers" Video Collection, a beginner-intermediate level instructional magic series (5 volume set) shot from two perspectives, as the person being entertained and as the entertainer.

Personal life

Scientology

Anderson was a Scientologist for 33 years and starred in Orientation: A Scientology Information Film . In 2009, Anderson left the Church of Scientology and asked for more than $100,000 back for services he had paid for but not yet used. [2] His conversation with Tommy Davis about the money was made available online by the St. Petersburg Times . [3] In 2010, Anderson appeared on the BBC's Panorama The Secrets of Scientology programme, hosted by John Sweeney. [4]

Filmography

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References

  1. Interview with Larry Anderson Archived 2007-10-21 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Childs, Joe; Tobin, Thomas C. (January 24, 2010). "He wants his money back from Church of Scientology". St. Petersburg Times . Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
  3. "Larry Anderson says he's leaving Scientology". Archived from the original on 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
  4. Sweeney, John (September 28, 2010). " The Secrets of Scientology ". Panorama . BBC.
Preceded by Truth or Consequences Host
1987
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Host of The Big Spin
January 2, 1995–September 7, 1996
Succeeded by