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Larry Bishop
Larry Bishop
Larry Bishop
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Larry Bishop (born November 30, 1948) is an American actor, screenwriter and film director. He is the son of Sylvia Ruzga and comedian Joey Bishop. He has been featured in many Hollywood movies including Hell Ride.[1]

Key Information

Early life

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Bishop attended Beverly Hills High School. His fellow alumni Rob Reiner and Richard Dreyfuss appear with him in Mad Dog Time, as does Joey Bishop.[2]

Career

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His television credits include writing for (and appearances on) The Hollywood Palace (with then-partner Rob Reiner), and appearances on I Dream of Jeannie, Love, American Style, Barney Miller, Laverne & Shirley and Kung Fu.

His movie credits include roles in Kill Bill: Volume 2, The Big Fix, The Savage Seven, and as the hook-handed musician Abraham "The Hook" Salteen in Wild in the Streets. He wrote, directed and appeared in Mad Dog Time in 1996, reuniting him with Streets costar Christopher Jones in Jones' final film appearance.[3] His most recent movies are 2008's Hell Ride, in collaboration with Quentin Tarantino, and 2010's Forgotten Pills.

Filmography

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Actor

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Director

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Producer

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Screenwriter

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References

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Larry Bishop

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Larry Bishop (born November 30, 1948) is an American actor, screenwriter, and film director, best known for his supporting roles in and films and for writing and directing the 1996 ensemble crime comedy , which marked his father 's final screen appearance. Born in , , to comedian and Sylvia Ruzga, Bishop spent his early years in before his family relocated to Beverly Hills during his high school years. There, he attended and formed early connections in the entertainment industry, including with future collaborators such as , , and , who later appeared in his directorial debut. Growing up amid the era through his father's friendships with figures like and , Bishop was immersed in from a young age. Bishop began his acting career in the late with roles in biker and exploitation films, including (1968), (1968), The Devil's Eight (1969), and (1970). He continued with appearances in Shanks (1974) and The Big Fix (1978), alongside television guest spots on series like , Kung Fu, , and . After over two decades in smaller roles, he shifted toward writing and directing, co-writing sketches for with and penning the screenplay for (1996). His directorial efforts include (1996), a star-studded project with actors like , , and that received distribution from MGM/UA, and the Quentin Tarantino-produced biker film (2008), in which he also starred. Later acting credits encompass Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) and Forgotten Pills (2010).

Early Life

Family Background

Larry Bishop was born on November 30, 1948, in , . He is the son of comedian , born Joseph Gottlieb, and his wife Sylvia Ruzga. Bishop's upbringing occurred primarily in , where the family resided during his early childhood. At age 15, the family moved to , during his high school years. The Bishop household was shaped by Joey Bishop's burgeoning career in entertainment, particularly his association with the alongside figures like and , which immersed Larry in the world of from a young age. This environment exposed him to prominent performers and the industry's inner workings, influencing family life amid Joey's rising fame.

Education and Early Influences

Bishop was born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey before his family relocated to Beverly Hills during his adolescence, enabling him to attend . At the school, he formed connections with future industry notables, including and , who later collaborated with him professionally. As the son of entertainer , a key member of the , Larry Bishop grew up immersed in Hollywood's vibrant scene, frequently observing his father's interactions with luminaries like and . This familial proximity to the entertainment world cultivated his early fascination with performance and the industry's inner workings. Bishop's youthful aspirations centered on acting, drawing inspiration from cinematic icons and , whose rebellious personas resonated with the . This period's cultural shifts, including the rise of biker film genres, aligned with his emerging interests in edgier, youth-driven narratives. Following graduation, he co-founded the improvisational comedy troupe The Session with Reiner, Dreyfuss, and , an endeavor that honed his skills and marked his transition toward a professional career in entertainment.

Career

Acting Roles

Larry Bishop made his film debut in 1968 as Abraham "The Hook" Salteen, the eccentric hook-handed drummer in the satirical youth revolt film , directed by Barry Shear. This role introduced Bishop's knack for portraying quirky, edgy characters in cinema. That same year, he appeared as Joint, a member of a gang, in , a Richard Rush-directed biker that solidified his early association with tough, rebellious archetypes. In the late and early , Bishop frequently embodied scruffy biker personas in cult films, establishing his charismatic anti-hero style. He played Pilot, the apathetic leader of a gang, in Angel Unchained (1970), directed by Lee Madden, where his character navigates conflict between bikers and a commune. This phase of his career, including similar roles in films like The Devil's Eight (1969) and (1971), highlighted Bishop's rugged, irreverent presence in low-budget action genres. On television, Bishop made guest appearances in the 1960s and 1970s, including as Dick in the 1969 episode "Never Put a Genie on a Budget" of I Dream of Jeannie. He also featured in episodes of shows like Kung Fu and an unsold 1979 CBS pilot about a retail store, showcasing his versatility in comedic and dramatic supporting parts. Bishop's later acting roles returned to gritty, outlaw characters, notably as Larry Gomez, the belligerent strip club owner, in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004). In 2008, he starred as Pistolero, the head of a violent biker gang, in Hell Ride, a neo-noir action film presented by Tarantino, marking a full-circle nod to his earlier biker work. Bishop also acted in Mad Dog Time (1996), a crime comedy he directed, playing a key role amid ensemble gangsters. Throughout his career, Bishop's performances as scruffy, charismatic anti-heroes contributed to his cult status in exploitation and independent cinema.

Directing, Producing, and Screenwriting

Larry Bishop made his mark behind the camera in the mid-1990s, transitioning from acting to with the dark gangster comedy (1996), which he also starred in alongside and . This project marked an early foray into writing ensemble-driven narratives infused with humor and tension, drawing on his experiences in low-budget genre films. Bishop's directing and producing debut came later that same year with (1996), an offbeat mob ensemble comedy that he wrote, directed, co-produced, and starred in as Nick Falco. The film assembled a high-profile cast including , , , and , blending rapid-fire dialogue, violence, and character-driven chaos in a story of rival gangsters navigating power struggles. Despite its ambitious scope and Bishop's multifaceted involvement, underperformed commercially, grossing just $107,874 domestically against an estimated $8 million budget. Over time, however, it garnered a small for its quirky humor and bold casting choices, appreciated by fans of eccentric crime comedies. Building on this foundation, Bishop revisited his roots in the biker genre with Hell Ride (2008), a gritty revenge thriller that he fully owned as , director, , and in the of Pistolero, the leader of the motorcycle gang. Produced under Quentin Tarantino's banner—with Tarantino serving as executive producer—the film featured , , and , emphasizing raw violence, outlaw camaraderie, and stylistic nods to exploitation cinema. Bishop's hands-on approach extended to curating the project's intense, humor-laced tone, reflecting his earlier acting cameos in similar biker tales. Throughout his behind-the-camera career, Bishop's work consistently explored offbeat, stories that married dark humor with bursts of violence, often leveraging his performer background to infuse authenticity into character interactions and dialogue. These projects highlighted his evolution as a filmmaker unafraid of genre conventions, though commercial hurdles like those faced with underscored the challenges of mounting independent productions with star-driven ensembles.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Larry Bishop married Tania Gail Hill on February 2, 1975, in a union that has endured for over 50 years as of 2025. The couple has two sons, Scott Bishop and Kirk Bishop, both of whom have maintained low public profiles and have not pursued careers in the entertainment industry. Bishop and his family have resided in , where he has prioritized a private family life alongside his professional commitments in acting, directing, and producing.

Relationship with Joey Bishop

Larry Bishop, the only child of comedian , grew up immersed in the entertainment industry due to his father's prominent , which provided early exposure to Hollywood figures including members of the such as and . This environment influenced Larry's initial entry into acting and directing, with Joey's connections offering opportunities in the industry during the 1960s and 1970s. Despite these early supportive elements, the father-son relationship became strained in later years, culminating in Joey's decision to exclude and his two grandsons from his will shortly before his death. In 2007, Joey revised his estate documents multiple times, ultimately leaving his approximately $8 million estate primarily to his longtime companion Nora Garibotti and other non-family associates, such as his attorney, while intentionally omitting his son to avoid potential legal challenges. This exclusion sparked public revelations of , highlighting long-simmering tensions that contrasted sharply with Joey's public image as the mild-mannered, private straight man of the , who rarely discussed personal matters. Joey Bishop passed away on October 17, 2007, at age 89 from multiple organ failure in his Newport Beach home, with no reported reconciliatory efforts between him and in his final years. The will's provisions fueled ongoing legal disputes over the estate, further underscoring the fractured family dynamics without any public gestures of mending from .

Legacy

Cultural Impact

Larry Bishop's portrayals in late-1960s biker films, such as (1968), have contributed to their enduring cult status within cinema, where they capture the era's rebellious spirit through gritty depictions of outlaw motorcycle gangs clashing with societal norms. These films, produced by , positioned Bishop as a key figure in the exploitation genre, embodying the scruffy, biker archetype that resonated with audiences seeking alternatives to mainstream Hollywood fare. His roles in similar titles like (1970) and (1971) further solidified this iconography, influencing the visual and thematic tropes of freedom, violence, and communal defiance that defined the subgenre. The revival of interest in Bishop's biker-era work gained momentum through Quentin Tarantino's endorsement, particularly with the 2008 release of , which Bishop wrote, directed, and starred in as a deliberate homage to grindhouse aesthetics. Tarantino, serving as producer, explicitly pitched the project to Bishop to recreate the raw, low-budget energy of his earlier films, resulting in a biker revenge tale that screened at the and aligned with Tarantino's own affinity for exploitation cinema. This collaboration sparked renewed appreciation for Bishop's foundational contributions, bridging vintage motifs with modern indie sensibilities and introducing his style to younger viewers via festival circuits and formats like DVD and Blu-ray. Bishop's approach to stylized dialogue, ensemble casts, and genre-blending humor in Mad Dog Time (1996) exemplifies his style in ensemble crime comedies. Among fans, Bishop's multifaceted career as , , and director fosters a dedicated appreciation, evident in ongoing availability that sustains viewings. This loyalty highlights his versatility, from antiheroes to genre revivalists, ensuring his work remains a touchstone for enthusiasts of B-movie innovation.

Collaborations and Recognition

Larry Bishop's most notable professional partnership was with director , beginning with his role as Larry Gomez, the owner of the My Oh My strip club, in Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004). Inspired by Tarantino's energetic style during filming, Bishop developed the screenplay for (2008), a neo-outlaw biker film that Tarantino produced and presented under his "Quentin Tarantino Presents" banner. This collaboration extended to Tarantino's involvement in casting and promotion, culminating in the film's world premiere at the 2008 , where Bishop served as writer, director, and star. In Mad Dog Time (1996), which Bishop wrote, directed, and produced, he assembled an ensemble cast featuring prominent actors such as as Ben London, as Vic, as Mickey Holliday, as Rita Everly, and as Grace Everly. The star-studded lineup, including and , significantly boosted the film's visibility upon release, drawing attention despite its mixed commercial performance and positioning it as a quirky comedy in the gangster genre. Bishop has not received major awards or nominations for his film work, as evidenced by industry databases tracking such honors. However, his contributions to cult cinema have garnered retrospective praise; Hell Ride earned recognition through its Sundance selection and stylistic nods to 1970s biker exploitation films, while Mad Dog Time has developed a cult following for its over-the-top ensemble dynamics and has been cited in discussions of fascinating cinematic failures. Following the death of his father, , on October 17, 2007, tributes in major outlets emphasized the elder Bishop's legacy while noting Larry's role in entertainment as an , director, and . Obituaries highlighted this father-son connection, underscoring their shared impact on American comedy and film across generations.

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34721-larry-bishop
  2. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/larry-bishop/umc.cpc.483mn5zgh489jhq02dxmlmuv4
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084114/
  4. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114603369/sylvia_olga-bishop
  5. https://www.npr.org/2007/10/18/15414729/comedian-joey-bishop-dead-at-89
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084114/bio/
  7. https://www.fandango.com/people/larry-bishop-55033/biography
  8. https://trainwreckdsociety.com/2017/07/07/larry-bishop-interview/
  9. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/larry_bishop
  10. https://www.darkhorizons.com/larry-bishop-for-hell-ride/
  11. https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/sundance-interview-with-hell-rides-writerdirector-larry-bishop/
  12. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/rob-reiner-trump-rebelling-father-925604/
  13. https://www.coppagecompany.com/larry-bishop
  14. https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/mad-dog-time-1200447736/
  15. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0116953/
  16. http://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=10048
  17. https://movieweb.com/exclusive-larry-bishop-takes-us-on-a-hell-ride/
  18. https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2008/09/review-hell-ride/
  19. https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/screen-star-joey-bishop-dies
  20. https://nypost.com/2010/12/03/who-knew-the-secret-battle-over-bishop-will/
  21. https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-xpm-2008-05-13-dpt-bishop05132008-story.html
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/arts/18cnd-bishop.html
  23. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/joey-bishop-last-rat-pack-152900/
  24. https://www.derekwinnert.com/the-savage-seven-1968-robert-walker-jr-joanna-frank-adam-roarke-larry-bishop-john-garwood-classic-movie-review-9397/
  25. https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/hell-ride-1200507908/
  26. https://www.firstshowing.net/2008/sundance-review-quentin-tarantino-presents-hell-ride/
  27. https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2008/10/28/get-on-shut-up-and-hold-tight-for-hell-ride/
  28. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-03-ca-60603-story.html
  29. https://folioweekly.com/2011/05/20/2950/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116953/fullcredits/
  31. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-08-ca-62355-story.html
  32. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084114/awards/
  33. https://screencrush.com/mad-dog-time-25-years-old/
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