Celebrity Nooz: Larry Wilcox

Larry Wilcox (Actor) - CHiPs

Updated: 12/23/19

Name: Larry Wilcox

Birth Name: Larry Dee Wilcox

Born: August 8, 1947 in San Diego, California, USA

Claim To Fame: Larry Wilcox is an American actor best known for his role as California Highway Patrol officer Jonathan "Jon" Baker in television series CHiPs (1977-1983).

Family Life: In 1969, Wilcox married Judy Vagner. They have two children together, Derek and Heidi. In 1980, his second marriage was to Dutch native Hannie Strasser, a one-time CHiPs assistant sound technician. Their daughter, Wendy, was born in 1982. In 1986, Wilcox married Marlene Harmon, a member of the 1980 Olympic heptathlon team. They reside in the San Fernando Valley and have two sons, Chad and Ryan.

Info: Graduated from Rawlins High School, Rawlins WY.

Went to the University of Wyoming, then transferred to Los Angeles Pierce College. He eventually went to Cal State Northridge.

He worked as a rodeo cowboy.

His only sister (he had two other brothers) was slain in front of her three children and her own mother in Wyoming. Her husband was accused of the murder but acquitted in a celebrated trial. He was subsequently killed in a barroom brawl.

Wilcox enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1967 and served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. While in Vietnam he studied French and took general classes at College of the Desert during his final year in the Marines at Twentynine Palms, California. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1973.

He enjoys driving race cars. He even holds a Bonneville Salt Flats land speed record.

Wilcox is licensed private pilot.

Trivia: Was up for the Nick Nolte role in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976).

Was a contender for the role of James "Sonny" Crockett on Miami Vice (1984), but lost the part to Don Johnson.

Wilcox performed many of his own stunts on CHiPs.

Wilcox confirmed that some of the rumors of on-set feuding with co-star Erik Estrada were true, but well were just minor issues blown out of proportion.

In 1982, Wilcox left CHiPs and formed his own production company, Wilcox Productions. There he produced the award-winning TV series for HBO The Ray Bradbury Theater. He also developed, optioned, and sold to MGM The Yorkshire Ripper and sold to Columbia The Wolfman Jack Story.

Wilcox was executive producer of the TV movie Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story.

Wilcox set up a website to benefit police officers killed in the line of duty and various philanthropic projects.

In November 2010, Wilcox pleaded guilty to criminal charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. The U.S. Justice Department alleged that Wilcox had paid a commission which was deemed illegal as a kickback as a result of an Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation. He was given a $100 fine, three years' probation, and 500 hours of community service. He performed over 1,000 hours of community service.

Where Are They Now: Wilcox is still hard at work in various productions. He has a guest starring role in the TV series Mood Swings. He's playing Six Gun Sam in the western Forgiven This Gun4hire, due out in 2021. He also been cast in the boxing movie Devotion. And it's been announced that Wilcox is joining the production of Beyond Legend Johnny Kakota.

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