Larry Laverty

2.1. Early life and education

Laurence Laverty was born on June 30, 1959, in Berkeley, California, and spent his formative years in nearby Oakland, California. His father was an engineer and a veteran of World War II, while his mother worked as a bookkeeper and historian. Laverty completed his high school education at Skyline High School in Oakland. Following high school, he relocated to Kuna, Idaho, where he lived on the family farm and engaged in various jobs. He pursued higher education at Boise State University, earning two college degrees in business administration and political science. He graduated in 1985, having also taken an acting class during his final year. Laverty furthered his academic pursuits with graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University.

2.2. Early interests and activities

From a young age, Laverty demonstrated a keen interest in outdoor activities and environmental preservation. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts of America. His commitment to nature extended to his membership in prominent environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society. In addition to his environmental interests, Laverty was also an athlete, dedicating 11 years to training in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Calgary, Alberta; and Butte, Montana, with the aspiration of joining the U.S. Olympic team as a speedskater.

3.1. Training and stage work

Laverty embarked on his professional acting journey by undertaking rigorous training at esteemed institutions. He studied acting at the American Conservatory Theater, a renowned regional theater and training program, as well as at The Groundlings and The Second City, both highly regarded improvisational comedy theaters. During his training, he actively performed on stage in a variety of plays and musicals, honing his craft and gaining valuable experience in live performance.

3.2. Film career

Laverty has built a prolific career as a character actor, appearing in over 100 films and television series. His filmography includes a diverse range of roles across various genres. One of his earliest film appearances was a minor, uncredited role as an aide to Hackworth in John Frankenheimer's 1990 film, The Fourth War. He also took on lead roles in two early short films by Irish filmmaker Dermot Tynan, titled A Talk in the Dark and The Biscuit Eaters. In 1991, he appeared as Fred in the short film Icetime, a Canadian production alongside actor Jackson Davies.

Laverty's notable film credits include his portrayal of Larry Davies in the 2006 horror film The Hamiltons. He also appeared in the 2007 horror film Dead Tone, playing a police officer (a film also known as Devil's Canyon), and in Gus Van Sant's critically acclaimed 2003 drama Elephant, where he played Teacher #3. His other film appearances encompass projects such as What's Bugging Seth? (2005), Further North (2008), The Wylds (2010), Cut (2011), American Disciples (2011), Radio Dreams (2016), and The Control Group (2014). He also had uncredited roles in films like Made in America (1993) as a mechanic, Mafia! (1998) as a dealer, High Crimes (2002) as an FBI SWAT Team Member, and Man from Reno (2014) as a hotel manager. In 2017, he appeared as Salty in Branded (also known as Dark Island). He also appeared as Nick in the 2007 film Little Bruno and as a priest in It's All in a Night's Work (2005). One of his earliest roles was in the 1988 film Deadlock.

Beyond acting, Laverty has also contributed to film production. He served as a producer for several films, including Kid (1993), which premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, Most of the Time (2016), and Gods In Shackles (2016). In 2016, he reunited with filmmaker Dermot Tynan in Ireland for the short film Most of the Time, where he not only starred in a lead role but also served as a co-producer.

3.3. Television career

Laverty's television career includes numerous guest appearances and recurring roles across various series. His performance on The Tonight Show led to multiple appearances on daytime soap operas. He had roles in Days of Our Lives (as FBI Agent #2 in 1998), Passions (as a fisherman in 2001), Port Charles (as Officer Howell and a waiter in 1997-1999 across two episodes), and All My Children (as BJ's Manager in 2003). He also made guest appearances in prime-time dramas and comedies, including Nash Bridges (as Bystander #1 in 1999), MADtv (as a co-pilot in 2000), Judging Amy (as Mr. O'Neil in 2000), The Practice (as a jury foreman in 2002), and Breaking Vegas (as Al Francesco in 2005). From 2003 to 2004, Laverty had recurring roles in The New Detectives, portraying a family member and Robert Brown across two episodes.

4.1. Photography

Laurence Laverty's engagement with photography began at the early age of five, developing into a lifelong passion. From 2010 to 2015, his images were regularly published in the MacArthur Metro, a newspaper serving Oakland, California, where he also contributed as a columnist. Beginning in 2015, Laverty shifted his photographic focus to wildlife, particularly in Africa. His compelling images of African wildlife have since been featured by numerous international wildlife conservation organizations, contributing to their efforts to raise awareness.

4.2. Conservation efforts

Driven by his passion for wildlife and his experiences in Africa, Laverty became a dedicated advocate for the protection of African elephants. Starting in 2017, he began participating in a series of speaking engagements, focusing on the critical plight of these majestic animals. These presentations often feature his own images, captured during a six-month period he spent in Africa, allowing him to share firsthand observations and raise awareness about the challenges African elephants face, such as poaching and habitat loss. His advocacy underscores a deep commitment to their preservation and the broader cause of wildlife conservation.

4.3. Publications

In 2019, Laverty further amplified his conservation message through the publication of his book, Power and Majesty: The Plight and Preservation of the African Elephant. This table-top book is a collection of his striking images of African elephants, accompanied by his personal observations. The book serves as a powerful visual and narrative tool, aiming to educate the public about the urgent need for elephant conservation and to inspire action towards their protection.

5.1. Film appearances

6.1. Television appearances