LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry Storch, the rubber-faced comedian whose lengthy occupation in theater, films and tv was once capped through his “F Troop” function as zany Cpl. Agarn within the Sixties spoof of Western frontier TV presentations, died Friday. Storch was once 99.
Storch died of herbal reasons early Friday in his New York Town condo, consistent with his supervisor, Matt Beckoff.
Even though “F Troop” lasted handiest two seasons on ABC, from 1965 to 1967, it turned into a cult favourite in reruns. Its faithful enthusiasts may just recite nearly the entire adventures of the extremely incompetent squaddies of Castle Braveness and the contributors of the within sight Local American tribe who handiest pretended to be at struggle with them.
As Agarn, Storch was once the wild-eyed spouse and protege of Forrest Tucker’s wily Sgt. O’Rourke, who ceaselessly schemed with Frank DeKova’s Leader Wild Eagle to fleece unsuspecting guests. Ken Berry’s Capt. Parmenter was once Castle Braveness’s clueless commander.
Whilst “F Troop” introduced him lasting reputation, Storch seemed in rankings of flicks and TV presentations each sooner than and after the display. He additionally loved a protracted occupation in theater and as a comic book at accommodations in New York State’s Catskill Mountains house.
He by no means regretted being very best identified for the collection, his supervisor stated.
“He embraced it. He cherished being Agarn” and relished running together with his co-stars, stated Beckoff. Storch was once the “kindest, sweetest particular person,” who all the time had time for autograph-seekers and was once beneficiant to other folks in want, he stated.
Storch’s credit incorporated “Humorous Valentine,” “Candy 16,” “Intercourse and the Unmarried Lady,” “S.O.B.,” “Airport,” “Treasure Island” and “Oliver Twist.” On TV, he guest-starred on such presentations as “Married… With Youngsters,” “Archie Bunker’s Position,” “Trapper John, M.D.,” “Fable Island,” CHiPS,” “The Love Boat,” “Get Sensible,” “Love American Taste,” “Gilligan’s Island” and “Automobile 54 The place Are You?”
His many theater appearances ranged from a brutal detective in a 1983 Broadway revival of “Porgy and Bess” to Leader Sitting Bull within the 2000 revival of “Annie Get Your Gun” with Reba McEntire.
Storch stated in a 1998 interview that he was once stunned to be regarded as for an Military comedy corresponding to “F Troop,” with it being widely known that he served within the Army all through Global Battle II. “All I knew about horses was once that they provide milk and will chunk from each ends,” he quipped.
Certainly, it was once his Army carrier that had a great deal boosted his occupation. Right through the struggle, he had met a radio operator within the Marshall Islands named Bernie Schwartz who had instructed him, “I’m going to be a film superstar.” Storch, already a seasoned comedian at the lodge circuit, had attempted to speak him out of it, caution him that the industry might be difficult.
They met once more after the struggle, and Schwartz, who through now had modified his identify to Tony Curtis, remembered the humorous man from the islands. Storch went on to look in 8 of Curtis’ films, together with “Captain Newman,” “Who Used to be That Woman?” and “The Nice Race.”
Laurence Samuel Storch was once born in New York Town the place, he recalled proudly, he went directly to transform magnificence clown at DeWitt Clinton Top College and “was once invited to not come again.”
He practiced his comedy in Harlem theaters for $2 an evening sooner than graduating to the famed coaching floor for comedians of his generation, the Catskills.
His first large smash got here on TV within the early Fifties with “The Cavalcade of Stars,” with Jackie Gleason. That resulted in “The Larry Storch Display,” a 1953 summer season collection. Common film and TV paintings adopted.
Storch was once married to Norma Greve from 1961 till her demise in 2003.
The overdue Related Press author Bob Thomas contributed to this record.