LA Law, Prey: Actor Larry Drake Dies at 66; Farewell, Benny

Actor Larry Drake has died at the age of 66. TMZ reports the actor had been having some weight-related health issues of late, but nothing “terminal” as far his rep could confirm. TMZ says, “Larry was found in his Hollywood home by a friend, who called paramedics around 1:30 PM. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Drake’s biggest TV role was as Benny Stulwicz on L.A. Law, which ran for 144 episodes over eight seasons on NBC, between 1988 and 1994. He reprised that role in 2002’s L.A. Law: The Movie. He also had a series regular role as Dr. Walter Atwood, on ABC‘s Prey TV series in 1998 (not to be confused with Prey on BBC America). ABC cancelled Drake’s Prey, starring Debra Messing, after airing 13 episodes.

Drake’s last live-action TV appearance was as Bishop Luke Bernard in a 2008 episode of Boston Legal, “The Gods Must be Crazy.” Some of his other live-action TV work includes guest roles on 7th Heaven (2006), and Crossing Jordan (2003). He played Sir Warwick Harrow, in the “Shindig” episode of Firefly, in 2002. Other series on which he guest-starred include Six Feet Under (2002), Stargate SG-1 (2001), Star Trek: Voyager (2000), The Fearing Mind (2000), Fantasy Island (1998).

Drake filled a number of voice roles in animated TV. Series he worked on include: Johnny Bravo; What’s New Scooby-Doo?; As Told by Ginger; Batman Beyond; Superman; and The Legend of Prince Valiant.

Notable among Drake’s movie roles is the character Robert G. Durant in Darkman (1990). His last feature film was Dead Air (2009). He also played Elmer, in the 1997 film, Bean, starring Rowan Atkinson and Peter MacNicol.

Drake was born February 21, 1950, in Tulsa Oklahoma, to Lorraine and Raymond Drake. For his portrayal of Benny, a character with intellectual disabilities, Drake won two consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor, in the 1987-88 and 1988-89 television seasons.

We invite you to share your memories of Mr. Drake and his career, below.