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 Character
Name: Baker, Jonathan A. (Larry Wilcox)
Larry Wilcox was born
on August 8, 1947 in San Diego CA. While still an infant,
his parents got a divorce. He moved to Rawlins, Wyoming and
bought up on his grandfather's ranch, which is called "The
Flying Diamond". His father died after and his mother
worked as a secretary to support her Larry and his other 3
siblings.
More Info.
Larry appeared in some commercials on
TV advertising Old Spice. In 1972 he was cast in the popular
series, Lassie, he played Dale Mitchell. Lassie remained on
air until 1974.
He then moved on to lots of other small
parts and guest appearances on TV and in films to that was
until, in 1977, he was given the role as Officer Jon Baker
in "CHiPs". That was Larry's Big break into television.
He was already able to ride a motorcycle,
and lots of the other requirements of his role as Jon Baker
came easy for Larry, and it is also known that Larry did most
of his own stunts on chips.…
During the filming of CHiPs Larry never
suffered any major injuries while filming. That was left to
Erik who suffered the most with his major injury while filming
roller disco.
Larry suffered his first divorce in 1978, He later went on
to marry Hannie Strasser on April 11, 1980, she worked on
the "CHiPs" set as an assistant sound technician.
Larry decided to leave 'CHiPs' and so
left in 1982, he wanted to start his own company Wilcox Productions.
His role was taken over by Tom Reilly,
and later Bruce Nelson, Larry never went back to the 'CHiPs'
series, although he later teamed up with Erik and co again
for the movie 'CHiPs'99
Larry and Erik were both reunited again
for a 5 minute appearance in the movie National Lampoon's
Loaded Weapon 1.
Finally.
An old interview with Larry
Larry Wilcox has a special woman in
his life and he says she has been with him for some time.
He will not release many details however, because his love
life, he says, is 'private. I owe the public a good performance,
the best I can give. We really bust our chops on 'CHiPs' but
when I go home and get a weekend off, I want to spend it quietly,
with my lady'.
Like Erik, Larry has been pelted with
offers to do other things, but he has declined many of these
because "CHiPs" is such a grueling show. As an hour
long show, it takes almost twice as long to film, as a half
hour series, and its routine also calls for adventure and
stunts, some of which the stars themselves attempt. Has Erik
Estrada's brush with death scared Larry of doing stunts?
'It’s given me something to think
about' he says, 'and I wouldn't try a dangerous stunt. That
isn’t my job, after all. My job is to emote for the
cameras. But I wouldn't be afraid of trying certain stunts:
we have an excellent crew, and our people in charge only would
allow us to try something that wasn’t to difficult or
risky. In Erik's case, it was an accident. Who could have
foreseen that?'
Not surprisingly, that much spoken about
accident has also made Larry more grateful for his own life
and good times. He says. ‘Life is precious, and if we
don’t enjoy it ourselves, no one else is going to enjoy
it for us. Most people I know don’t really enjoy themselves
till they’re 4o or so, but im what the French call a
bon vivant. That means I live well, and like they say, living
well is the best tonic'.
'I work hard and I play hard'.
What kind of activities does Larry Wilcox
enjoy?
'I love sports, like most of my friends,
and I try and keep my body in good shape. Not only for the
series and for my lady, but for the fans. I know they like
to look at lean, good looking guys', he chuckles. 'Id never
let myself get fat. Besides being unattractive, it’s
unhealthy. Another thing I like to do is sit back and take
in nature. To look at the birds, listen to their singing,
go hiking, camping and jogging and running, walking along
the beach, playing games and sometimes being alone with the
great outdoors. It’s very special to me'.
As for movies and doing other assignments
than "CHiPs", Larry realizes he is young and has
time to spare. He is in fact thankful that his success did’t
not come much sooner:
'Look at what early fame and fortune
did to Freddie Prinze. I think young people do best when they
climb the ladder of success one rung at a time, otherwise,
you can become dizzy. Sure, I used to get impatient and wish
it would happen real quick, like overnight, but then you don’t
enjoy it as much. This way its steadier. It’s like with
a girl: it’s more fun to meet and slowly, gradually
learn things about each other. A little mystery is always
nice and it’s interesting to still learn new things
about someone you are involved with'.
'I never was in much of a rush, and
when it comes to girls, I can say what i've always said: I
like a girl that takes her own sweet time.......
What he is doing now
Larry is now living on a ranch in the
San Fernando Valley and is a father of 5 children. The two
oldest children and are from his 10-year marriage to Judy
Vagner, who he married on March 29, 1969. Derek (34) is the
oldest (he also was in 2 episodes of 'CHiPs') is at university
in Chicago, Heidi, (29) is working in the dentistry. Wendy,
(22)from his marriage to Hannie Strasser. The two youngest
children, Ryan (11) and Chad (9), are from his current marriage
to Marlene Harmon who he married on April 22, 1986.
More
about Larry Wilcox on imdb
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