Larry Nunn was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Born to Sing, Strike Up the Band, and Men of Boys Town. He was born on August 23, 1925, in Marshfield, Oregon, and died on October 20, 1974, in Venice, California.
Personal and Family Life
Larry Nunn was married to Joyce Lorraine Downer from December 11, 1959, until their divorce in April 1974. They had one child together, Terri Nunn, who is known as both an actress and a singer. Terri fronts a rock band called Berlin and created a song titled “Blame It on the World,” which reflects on her father’s troubled life and death.
Career Highlights
Nunn started his acting career in the 1940s, being recognized for his role as the sad character Willie Brewster in the musical Strike Up the Band. Although he had a brief career at MGM, he struggled with the pressure of maintaining his youthful image. He faced challenges later due to alcohol issues and had a notable decline in his mental health.
Death and Legacy
Larry Nunn tragically died by suicide at the age of 49 after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. His death left a profound impact on his family, particularly his daughter Terri, who was only 13 at the time. Nunn’s legacy lives on through his daughter’s music and the roles he played during his career.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Major and the Minor | 1942-09-16 | Cadet Babcock |
| Men of Boys Town | 1941-04-11 | Ted Martley |
| Strike Up the Band | 1940-09-27 | Willie Brewster |
| San Quentin | 1946-12-16 | Danny (uncredited) |
| Born to Sing | 1942-02-18 | Mike Conroy |
| Hell’s Kitchen | 1939-07-08 | One of the Young Boys (uncredited) |
| Hullabaloo | 1940-10-25 | ‘Terry’ Merriweather |
| The Navy Way | 1944-02-26 | Billy Jamison |
| Desperate | 1947-06-20 | Al Radak (uncredited) |
| A Foreign Affair | 1948-08-20 | Sergeant (uncredited) |
| Cairo | 1942-08-17 | Bernie |