Thursday, February 19, 2009

Corporal Randolph Agarn or Larry Storch?

A while back I wrote a piece about how Dan Haggerty really was as close as you could get to being Grizzly Adams (the character he portrayed so famously). Other actors seem to try to keep their gimmicks alive for the sake of recognition at personal appearances. Still others seem to shun particular roles.
I met veteran actor Larry Storch at the Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo in 2007. Storch was in his mid-80's at the time, but still sported the kerchief and hat that was part of his look while he was on tv's F Troop over 40 years ago.
Storch has had a great career. Originally a stand-up comic, Storch went on to many guest-starring roles on tv, as well as countless appearances on various tv variety shows. He has appeared in over 25 films and numerous theater productions. He is also a master at impressions, a skill which lead to Storch providing the voices for many cartoon characters.
Clearly Storch has an impressive resume. I just found it sad to find him at the convention wearing that hat and kerchief. I don't need ex-players to put on their old uniforms at these shows. The same could be said for other performers. I don't want to meet the character. I want to meet the person.
With that in mind, I must add that Storch was a very nice man. He seemed genuinely grateful when people approached him. He even pulled out some very old jokes which made me laugh even though they were old and not very funny.
Larry Storch and me in Carol Stream, IL-October 2007.

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