Biography

John Larch

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Instantly recognizable American character actor with bulbous nose and heavily lined face, who could convey integrity or menace to equal effect. He first came to prominence on radio as (Captain) Starr of Space (1953), using ray guns to combat Martians and alien queens. Beginning in 1953, Larch accumulated an impressive resume of TV series credits, spanning almost the entire spectrum of the best western, crime and science-fiction shows the 1950's and 60's had to offer. His authoritarian personality and demeanor generally typecast him as police officers, military men, attorneys and politicians. Quite a few of these turned out to be either corrupt or outright villains. Point in case, his performance as a tough hood in The Phenix City Story (1955), described by Bosley Crowther as "stinging" in "hard malevolence" (New York Times, September 3, 1955).

At his best, Larch was the nervous Mr. Fremont, father to the eminently dangerous Anthony (Bill Mumy) in the classic entry into The Twilight Zone (1959), 'It's a Good Life'. In The Invaders (1967) episode 'Genesis', he was again excellent as police officer Greg Lucather, at first skeptical, but subsequently swayed by irrefutable evidence to help in David Vincent's quest. On the big screen, he is perhaps best remembered as Harry Callahan's Chief of Police in the original Dirty Harry (1971).
- IMDb mini biography by: I.S.Mowis

Before he became an actor he had been a professional baseball player.
Didn't start acting until he was thirty-eight years old.
He struggled for years with the emotional effect of the horrors he had seen while serving in World War II.
Portrayed both Gen. George S. Patton and Gen. Omar N. Bradley, who served together in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany.
Buried at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California. Borders the city of Glendale and Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Memorial Park.

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