Larry Mathews - A Look At A Familiar Face
When you think about classic television, so, you might remember a show that brought a lot of smiles to many homes. That show, as a matter of fact, was "The Dick Van Dyke Show." And in that show, there was a little boy who played Ritchie Petrie, a character that, you know, really stuck with people. This young actor, who was just a child when he started, was Larry Mathews. He was born Larry Mazzeo on a summer day, August 15, 1955, and he became someone many viewers grew to like watching.
It's pretty interesting, really, to think about how someone so young could get such a big part on television. Larry Mathews was, like, just five years old when he got picked to play Ritchie. This was for a show that became, well, a very well-known and loved part of television history. He was, actually, the youngest person in the main group of actors on that program. His time on the show started in 1961, and it went on for some years, until 1966, which is quite a stretch for anyone, let alone a little kid.
Even though he has done other things since then, and he is, you know, a grown person now, many people still connect him with that one special role. It’s kind of amazing, in a way, how a character from so long ago can stay in people’s minds. Larry Mathews, who is now 64 years old, has, in fact, a story that shows how some parts can really stay with an actor, even if they move on to different things later in life. We will look at his story, and what he has done.
Table of Contents
- A Look at Larry Mathews’ Life and Times
- How Did Larry Mathews Get His Start in Show Business?
- What Was It Like for Larry Mathews on The Dick Van Dyke Show?
- What Happened to Larry Mathews After The Dick Van Dyke Show?
- What Other Acting Did Larry Mathews Do?
- Is Larry Mathews Still Known as Ritchie Petrie?
- What Does Larry Mathews Do Now?
- A Brief Look Back at Larry Mathews’ Journey
A Look at Larry Mathews’ Life and Times
Larry Mathews, who was given the name Larry Mazzeo when he was born, came into the world on August 15, 1955. This happened in Burbank, California, which is a place many people know for its connection to movies and television. He has spent his working life in the entertainment business, both as someone who acts and someone who helps manage things behind the scenes. You know, it’s pretty cool to think about someone having a career that spans so many years, especially when it starts so early. His birth date means that, as the information tells us, he was 64 years old at the time the text was written. That gives you a sense of how much time has passed since his early days on screen. He has, basically, seen a lot of changes in the entertainment business since he first started out.
Personal Details for Larry Mathews
| Birth Name | Larry Mazzeo |
| Birth Date | August 15, 1955 |
| Birth Place | Burbank, California, USA |
| Known For | Actor, Executive |
| Main Role | Ritchie Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" |
This table gives us a quick way to see some basic facts about Larry Mathews. It shows his original name, when and where he was born, and what kinds of work he has done in his career. It also points out the part he is most remembered for. It’s a pretty straightforward way to get a grasp of who he is and what his public story involves. People often want to know these kinds of things about someone who has been on television for a long time. So, this helps put that information in one spot.
How Did Larry Mathews Get His Start in Show Business?
It’s a bit of a story, how Larry Mathews got his beginning in the world of acting. He was, actually, just a very young boy, only five years old, when he was picked for a big part. This happened in 1961. The show was called "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and it was a very well-liked television program. He was chosen to play Ritchie Petrie, who was the son of the main characters, Rob and Laura Petrie. This was a really important step for him, as it gave him a chance to be on television in a big way. You know, it’s not every day that a five-year-old gets such a notable part on a show that would become so well-known. It was, in a way, his big chance to show what he could do in front of the camera.
The process of getting chosen for such a part, especially at that age, must have been quite something. He was, sort of, at the very beginning of his life, and suddenly he was working on a television set. This was his first big acting job, and it set the stage for everything else that came after. It’s pretty clear that getting this role was a huge moment for young Larry Mathews. It gave him a public face and a character that people would remember for many years. So, his early life was, in some respects, shaped by this opportunity to be on television.
What Was It Like for Larry Mathews on The Dick Van Dyke Show?
Being a child actor on a popular television program like "The Dick Van Dyke Show" must have been a very unique experience for Larry Mathews. He was, you know, playing Ritchie Petrie, the son of the main characters, Rob and Laura Petrie. This show was on television from 1961 until 1966. So, for a good five years, Larry was a regular face on people's screens. He was, literally, growing up right there in front of the audience. It's kind of hard to imagine what that would be like, having your childhood shared with so many viewers every week.
The show itself was a very big deal at the time. It was a comedy that people really enjoyed, and it had a lot of talented people working on it. Larry Mathews was, basically, a part of that team from a very young age. He was the youngest person in the group of main actors, which must have given him a special place. His character, Ritchie, was a sweet and often funny part of the family stories. Playing this part meant he was involved in many of the show's humorous moments and family situations. It was, in fact, a significant time in his early life, being on a show that so many people watched and loved.
What Happened to Larry Mathews After The Dick Van Dyke Show?
After "The Dick Van Dyke Show" came to an end in 1966, Larry Mathews made a choice to step back from acting for a while. He was, you know, still a young person when the show finished. It seems he moved away from being in front of the camera pretty soon after that last episode. This is something that happens with some child actors; they might decide to try other things or just live a more typical life once their big acting job is done. For Larry Mathews, it meant taking a break from the public eye and the demands of being on a television program.
It’s pretty common for people to wonder what happens to child stars once their most famous role is over. In Larry Mathews' situation, he simply chose to go in a different direction for a time. He didn't keep acting right away, which is, perhaps, why some people might have lost track of him for a bit. His decision to move away from the acting scene after the show ended suggests he was, in a way, ready for something different. This period after the show was a time for him to figure out what he wanted to do next, away from the immediate spotlight.
What Other Acting Did Larry Mathews Do?
While Larry Mathews is most remembered for his part as Ritchie Petrie, he did, in fact, have other acting work on his record. Besides the well-known role on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," he has five other acting credits. This means he appeared in other productions, even if they weren't as widely recognized as his first big job. For example, he was involved with a show called "Soap," which came out in 1977. This shows that he did, you know, continue to work in the acting field, even if it wasn't always in a main role or one that kept him in the constant public eye.
It’s interesting to see that an actor who had such a big start still went on to do other projects. His work on "Soap" is one example of his later acting appearances. He is also listed as being an executive, which means he has had roles behind the scenes as well. This tells us that Larry Mathews has, actually, kept a connection to the entertainment business in different ways over the years. So, while Ritchie Petrie is his most famous character, it wasn't the only time he was involved in making television or movies. He has, basically, a few other things on his acting list that people might not know about.
Is Larry Mathews Still Known as Ritchie Petrie?
Even though many years have gone by since "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was on television, Larry Mathews is, quite often, still known as "little Ritchie." It's a pretty remarkable thing, how a part played as a child can stay with someone for their whole life. He is, of course, a grown man now, but for many people who watched the show, the image of him as the young son remains very strong. It speaks to how much impact that particular show and character had on viewers. So, even today, if you mention Larry Mathews, many will think of Ritchie Petrie.
This kind of recognition can be, you know, a bit of a double-edged sword for actors. On one hand, it means they were part of something truly memorable. On the other hand, it might mean that people have a hard time seeing them as anyone else. For Larry Mathews, it seems that being "little Ritchie" is just part of his public story. He has, in fact, lived a whole life since those days, but that connection to his childhood role is still very much there. It shows how deeply some television characters can stick in the minds of the audience, even after decades have passed. It’s, pretty much, a lasting part of his public identity.
What Does Larry Mathews Do Now?
Larry Mathews has, you know, continued to be involved in the entertainment world, not just as an actor but also as an executive. This means he has roles that involve managing or making decisions behind the scenes, which is a different kind of work than being in front of the camera. It shows that he has a broader set of skills and interests within the industry. While he might not be acting all the time, his work as an executive means he is still a part of creating and managing projects. This is, basically, a way for him to stay connected to the business he started in as a child.
His current age, 64 years old, means he has had a long career with different phases. Being an executive suggests a level of experience and understanding of how the entertainment business works beyond just performing. It's a pretty natural progression for someone who has been around the industry for so long. So, Larry Mathews isn't just someone who used to be a child actor; he is, in fact, someone who has built a career that includes different kinds of work within the world of television and film. He is, actually, still very much a part of that creative space.
A Brief Look Back at Larry Mathews’ Journey
Looking back at Larry Mathews' story, we see someone who got a very early start in television. Born Larry Mazzeo in Burbank, California, on August 15, 1955, he became known as Ritchie Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" when he was just five years old. This part, which he played until 1966, made him a familiar face to many. After the show, he stepped away from acting for a bit, but he did have other acting credits, like on "Soap." Even now, at 64, he is still often thought of as "little Ritchie." He has also taken on roles as an executive, showing his continued involvement in the entertainment business. His journey, you know, is a good example of how a childhood role can stay with a person, even as they grow and take on different kinds of work.
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Larry Mathews - Actor
The Dick Van Dyke Show Dick Van Dyke and Larry Mathews signed photo
The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961)
