- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLawrence Wheaton Gates
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- Larry Gates spent much of his early career waiting for that "big break." That Big Break finally came when he was cast in the 1956 Broadway comedy 'Bell Book and Candle' opposite Rex Harrison and Lili Palmer. Already middle aged, the role was the first in a long line of character roles that Larry would make famous on both stage and screen. He was featured in the Stephen Sondheim television musical Evening Primrose (1966), and played the over protective Dr. Baugh in the film version of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) with Paul Newman. Gates later played the role of President Hoover in the acclaimed television mini-series Backstairs at the White House (1979) and appeared on Broadway in 'Hamlet' opposite Sam Waterston. During his last decade Gates was beset with various health problems forcing him to use oxygen on a regular basis. This still did not stop the active thespian from appearing on a popular soap opera almost until the month of his death. Mr. Gates passed away in 1996 , survived by his costume designer wife, Judith.- IMDb Mini Biography By: <peacham@excite.com>
- SpousesJudith Emily Seaton(April 11, 1963 - December 12, 1996) (his death)Tania Wilkof(August 2, 1959 - September 27, 1961) (her death)
- ParentsLloyd Roland GatesMarian Stewart Wheaton
- Portrayed Presidents Herbert Hoover and Chester A. Arthur.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1964 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "A Case of Libel."
- Made his Broadway debut as the befuddled Sydney Redlitch in "Bell Book and Candle".
- Received the 1985 Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role as H. B. Lewis on "Guiding Light".
- He appeared in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), The Sand Pebbles (1966), In the Heat of the Night (1967) and Airport (1970). Of those, In the Heat of the Night (1967) is a winner in the category.
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