Larry Breeding

Larry Breeding (September 28, 1946 – September 28, 1982) was an American actor who had starring roles in the NBC sitcom Who's Watching the Kids? (1978–79) and the CBS comedy The Last Resort (1979–80). He also appeared in Laverne & Shirley and numerous guest roles on network television during the late 1970s and early 1980s. A charismatic performer with a dry wit and self-effacing humor, Breeding was regarded by critics as a rising comic actor before his career was cut short by his death in a 1982 automobile accident.

Early life and education Larry Breeding was born in Winchester, Illinois, and grew up on his family’s farm, affectionately called "Belly Acres." His father was a farmer who later became a banker, and his mother a homemaker. Breeding frequently cited his rural upbringing for instilling his work ethic and humor, saying, "My father always wanted to give his children things he never had… growing up in Illinois, I always ranked ‘mice over money.’"

He attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, graduating with a degree in theatre. During summers, he apprenticed at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, Illinois, a well-known regional venue where he worked from 1968 to 1969. His early stage experience there, he later said, “taught me more than any classroom ever could.”

Career Before gaining attention on television, Breeding worked extensively in national advertising, appearing in over 150 commercials for products such as Haggar slacks, Chevrolet, and Dr. Pepper. His role as the “Haggar slacks man” made him a familiar face to American audiences. He also modeled professionally and held various jobs, including walking dogs and selling neckties at Saks Fifth Avenue while pursuing acting in New York.

Breeding’s first film appearance came in The Happy Hooker (1975), playing one of the “Johns” opposite Lynn Redgrave.

Breeding remained philosophical about the show’s failure, calling it “shotgun television. His easy charm and Silverman’s support, however, led to further opportunities.

In 1979, Breeding earned his breakthrough role as Michael Lerner, a waiter and medical student, in the CBS comedy The Last Resort, produced by Gary David Goldberg and MTM Enterprises (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant). The ensemble cast included Stephanie Faracy, Robert Costanzo, and John Fujitake.

Critics described the show as “bright, fast, and refreshing,” and Breeding’s performance as “boyish but clever.” Breeding, who had appeared in three failed pilots before, quipped that he was a “flop-up”—an actor who “moves up regardless of how bad his last show was.”

Breeding’s humor and self-awareness made him a favorite among writers. He credited his stage training for his improvisation skills, saying, “On stage, if you can’t remember your lines, you still have to go on. That’s why television feels like play rather than work.”

In 1982, he joined the cast of Laverne & Shirley for several episodes as Mike Bailly, Laverne’s boyfriend, reuniting him with Penny Marshall, who had attended his Illinois stage performances earlier that year.

Breeding was also active in summer theatre, performing in the play Deathtrap at the Little Theatre on the Square, where Penny Marshall traveled to see him perform.

Breeding’s comedic approach was described as dry, intelligent, and self-aware. He preferred “observational humor to sarcasm,” striving to make his characters relatable without cynicism.

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 1978 Man from Atlantis Buddy O’Toole 1 episode 1979 The Love Tapes Peter Barnes TV movie 1979 Alice Mark 1 episode 1979 The Bad News Bears Elliot Carson 1 episode 1978–1979 Who's Watching the Kids? Larry Parnell 11 episodes 1979–1980 The Last Resort Michael Lerner 15 episodes 1980 Eight Is Enough Gary 1 episode 1980–1981 The Love Boat Johnny Gilmore / Jack Standers 2 episodes 1981 A Matter of Life and Death Unknown Role TV movie 1981 Hart to Hart Frank Jordan 1 episode 1981 It's a Living Stan 1 episode 1981 Lou Grant Burton Cary 1 episode 1982 This Is Kate Bennett... Seth Greenwald TV movie 1982 It’s Not Easy Neil Townsend 1 episode 1982–1983 Laverne & Shirley Mike Bailly / Mike / Hank 3 episodes

Film Year Title Role Notes 1975 The Happy Hooker One of The Johns 1981 Street Music Eddie 1982 Young Doctors in Love Unknown Role uncredited