By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Larry Drake, who earned back-to-back Emmy Awards for his sensitive portrayal of mentally challenged character Benny Stulwicz in "L.A. Law," has died. He was 66.
Drake's body was found Thursday in his Los Angeles-area home by a friend, said Charles Edward Pogue, himself a longtime friend and collaborator of Drake's.
The cause of death was not immediately known. The heavyset actor had suffered from health issues related to his weight, said Steven Siebert, Drake's manager for 30 years.
Drake was proud of a career that spanned TV, film and stage, including the 1990 movie "Darkman," Siebert said. He earned Emmys in 1988 and 1989 for playing office worker Benny on the "L.A. Law" drama series.
In a 1989 interview with The Associated Press, Drake said he portrayed Benny not as a stereotype but as a man with a full range of emotions.
"And that seems to surprise people – that (such) characters can feel as much as they feel, and note as much as they note," he said.
Pogue recalled his friend as "one of a kind" and far different from the roles in which he was often cast, including villains and, at least twice, characters named Bubba.
"He was very learned, well-read and intellectual," Pogue said, and a great wit and storyteller who was often the last to leave a party.
Although Drake sometimes chafed at being typecast, Pogue said, he appreciated the opportunities he had. Their projects included writing a mystery-comedy play, "Whodunnit, Darling?"
Drake, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, recently had focused on teaching acting, Siebert said.
Details on survivors were not immediately available.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More