Laurence Benjamin Saperstein (born April 12, 1998[citation needed]) is an American actor and dancer. He stars as Big Red in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Larry Saperstein | |
|---|---|
| Born | Laurence Benjamin Saperstein April 12, 1998 Islip, Long Island, New York |
| Alma mater | Pace University |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, dancer |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Website | www |
Life and career
editSaperstein is from Islip on the southern shore of Long Island, New York. He is Jewish.[1] He began dancing at age 6 and was a member of the Tap City Youth Ensemble. He spent several summers at the Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. He attended Islip High School and was selected as a 2016 Long Island Scholar Artist.[2][3] He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production and Design for Stage and Screen from Pace University in New York City in 2020.[4]
Saperstein has been acting since he was 3 years old at a community theater with his parents.[5] Larry landed his first role at the age of 6 as Winthrop Paroo in Star Playhouse's production of The Music Man.[6] He has had several theatre roles in Long Island and touring on the West Coast.
Saperstein played Lucius in the 2015 ABC Television film Fan Girl starring Kiernan Shipka.[7]
In February 2019, it was announced Saperstein would star in his breakout onscreen role in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series as Big Red, Ricky Bowen (Joshua Bassett)'s best friend who fills in as the school production's stage manager.[8][9] The series premiered that November. Saperstein was the final main to be cast.
In June 2021, Saperstein came out as bisexual via social media.[10]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Finding | Boy | Short film |
| Blindfold | Jeremy | ||
| We Are the Hartmans | |||
| 2015 | Fan Girl | Lucius | Television film |
| 2019 | Porno | Todd | |
| First Wives Club | Timmy | Episode: "Plan B" | |
| 2019–2023 | High School Musical: The Musical: The Series | Big Red | Main role (Season 1–2) Recurring role (Season 4) Guest star (Season 3) |
| TBA | Gap Year | Second Unit Director |
Stage
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Music Man | Winthrop Paroo | Star Playhouse, Commack |
| 2008 | Evita | Children's Choir | Star Playhouse, Commack |
| 2010 | Oliver! | Charley Bates | John W. Engeman Theater, Northport |
| 2009–2010 | Miracle on 34th Street | Tommy Mara Jr. | West Coast tour |
| 2010 | Fiddler on the Roof | Ensemble | John W. Engeman Theater, Northport |
| 2014 | Cats | Skimbleshanks | Islip Town Hall West, Islip |
| 2016 | Clybourne Park | Lighting designer; Islip Town Hall West, Islip | |
| 2018 | Peter and the Starcatcher | Lighting Designer | Pace University |
References
edit- ^ Ben-Moche, Erin (December 11, 2020). "HSM Series' Julia Lester, Larry Saperstein Perform Classics for Disney+ Holiday Special". Jewish Journal. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
- ^ "Larry Saperstein, Long Island Scholar Artist". Islip Fine and Performing Arts. September 28, 2015. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ "Seniors Merit being Commended". Islip School District. 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ "Meet Larry". Larry Saperstein. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ Whitehouse, Beth (December 7, 2010). "A star search for LI's most talented kids". Newsday. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ Kramer, Bryna (November 22, 2019). "Exclusive Interview with Larry Saperstein from 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series'". Talk Nerdy with Us. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ Sullivan, Corinne (September 4, 2019). "It's the Start of Something New! Here's the Cast For the High School Musical TV Show". PopSugar Australia. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 15, 2019). "'High School Musical': Disney+ Sets Cast, Starts Production On Streaming Series Reboot". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
- ^ Ayers, Mary (November 8, 2019). "Larry Saperstein's Big High School Musical Debut". Teenplicity. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- ^ "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Actor Larry Saperstein Comes Out as Bisexual". E! Online. 2021-06-02. Archived from the original on 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
