Larry Wilcox grew up in Rawlins, Wyoming, with three siblings and was raised by a single parent, his mother. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Wyoming, studying pre-med before transferring to California State University, Northridge, in Southern California.
Tragedy struck when his sister was murdered by her husband in front of her mother and their three children, prompting Wilcox to return home to support his family. He was subsequently drafted into the Army but chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps instead, serving honorably for 13 months in Vietnam, where he earned five campaign stars and two meritorious promotions. Discharged as a Sergeant, Wilcox went back to school and began working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
He pursued his passion for acting and music, eventually landing a Hollywood agent and securing roles in numerous commercials and TV shows, including Lassie, MASH, Love Boat, Police Story, Room 222, The Partridge Family, and Hawaii Five-0. Wilcox's big break came when he was cast as the co-star in the popular TV series CHiPS, which he starred in for five years and was syndicated in 100 foreign countries.
During his time on CHiPS, Wilcox formed his own production company, buying scripts and books, and making deals with studios and networks. He produced the TV movie Death of a Playmate: The Dorothy Stratten Story for MGM and NBC, which dealt with themes reminiscent of his sister's tragic death. Wilcox also developed, funded, and produced the award-winning TV series The Ray Bradbury Theater for HBO, which he worked on for five years.
Wilcox has been married to Marlene Harmon for over 30 years, with whom he has three sons and two daughters who are now all adults. He is an avid sportsman and thrill-seeker, holding eight Land Speed Records at the Bonneville Salt Flats, competing in SCCA events, and competing in professional rodeos.
In addition to his filmmaking endeavors, Wilcox is a licensed pilot and has flown with the Blue Angels and the Marines as a celebrity guest. He has also been the national spokesperson for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the Red Cross, and the Vets Save The Flag campaign, as well as the celebrity filmmaker and spokesperson for TheFallenHeroes.org.
Wilcox believes that his true credits are his family, and that his life's work is about helping others and leaving a positive impact on the world. He writes a monthly journal on his Facebook page, keeping in touch with his fans and sharing his thoughts on love, life, and personal growth.