Biography
Personal and Family
He has three children with his wife, Elizabeth Ann Cookson. He is also a registered member of the Libertarian Party, a fact to which he alluded when he made an appearance on Dennis Miller's CNBC show on the "Varsity Panel". During an appearance on Tom Snyder's show, Larroquette mentioned that he almost quit the party when they nominated Howard Stern to run for governor of New York.
In the seventies and eighties, Larroquette battled alcoholism.
John was devastated after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans; he was born and raised there.
Night Court
Surprise Hit
Larroquette owes much of his career's success to his role as Dan Fielding on Night Court, NBC's surprise hit which ran from 1984 to 1992. It revolved around a boyish judge, Harry Stone (Harry Anderson), who presides over a Manhattan courtroom, along with an evolving staff and a motley crew of night people who shuffled through the court.
Only Larroquette, Anderson, and Richard Moll (as Bailiff Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon) appeared in every episode of the series. Night Court was created as a showcase for Harry Anderson, a magician who had been building a buzz with appearances on Saturday Night Live and Cheers. However, for many, Larroquette's Fielding became the main draw to the show.
Dan Fielding
Smarmy, crude, and self-centered, he represented the most negative stereotype of a lawyer. However, on many occasions Fielding displayed true warmth and well-timed morality. In a famous example, he talked a chemically-imbalanced Roz (Marsha Warfield) down from a ledge and had a well-intentioned talk with Harry who was temporarily quitting his job. Fielding flirted incessantly with any young female including both Billie (Ellen Foley) and Christine (Markie Post). His feelings for Christine evolved into a rivalry with Harry for her affection.
The character of Dan Fielding has been likened to Rowan Atkinson's Edmund Blackadder characters for his self-abasement in the name of ambition; for his (often extreme) runs of bad luck, and his quick wit.
Memorable Moments
Some examples of Dan Fielding's bad luck and surreal life:
Quite often he would infuriate the enormous Bull who would proceed to twist Dan into a pretzel;
On many episodes he is hospitalized in a full-body cast;
He ran a campaign and lost to his opponent, who was deceased. While played for comedy on the show, this has happened in real life (see John Ashcroft).
The nymphomaniacal Sheila, a recurring character, only showed up in Dan's life when he was hospitalized and immobilized;
Once he became stranded in an Arctic village after a plane crash--he proceeded to shoot down another plane with a flaregun;
(Several old women are charged with running an illegal phone-sex service)
Judge Stone: I don't mean to offend you ladies, but are there really that many people who like to fantasize while talking to...
Old Lady 1: A bunch of old broads?
Judge Stone: Okay.
Old Lady 2: Oh, they don't know how old we are. I always use a phone persona, to heighten the fantasy.
Old Lady 2: (pretending she's on a phone and talking in a sexy voice) "Hi, I'm Bent Barbara."
Dan Fielding: (shocked) You're Bent Barbara?!
Old Lady 1: You sound kind of familiar.
Old Lady 2: It's Vic Vaselino.
Dan Fielding: (Scottish accent) Uh, no lass, you must be mistaken.
Old Lady 2: You can't fool us, Vic. Not after sharing so many personal, intimate fantasies. So...
Old Lady 2: (pointing to Public Defender Christine) You must be Christine.
Partial filmography
Wedding Daze (2004)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
The Heart Department (2001)
The 10th Kingdom (2000)
Walter and Henry (1999)
Tune in Tomorrow (1990)
Madhouse (1990)
Blind Date (1987)
Summer Rental (1985)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Choose Me (1984)
Meatballs II (1984)
Cat People (1982)
Green Ice (1981)
Stripes (1981)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Follow Me, Boys! (1966) (uncredited)
Television
Starring roles
Happy Family
Payne
The John Larroquette Show
Night Court
Black Sheep Squadron
Doctors' Hospital
McBride
The Incurable Collector
The 10th Kingdom
Guest roles
The Practice - Joey Heric
The West Wing- Lionel Tribbey, White House Counsel
Dave's World
Dallas
Mork & Mindy
Three's Company
Kojak
Sanford and Son
Arrested Development (cameo, as himself)
Joey
Larroquette has appeared on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on numerous occasions, as well as several appearances on both David Letterman's shows. He has hosted Saturday Night Live twice. He also won another Emmy Award for his guest spot on "The Practice"
Quotes
"When I call myself an artist, please realize I do this with my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek..."
"The medium doesn't matter. I'd like to be doing quality acting in a quality role and making as many people as possible happy."
"Now I'm officially overwhelmed." After his fourth Emmy win.
"I sincerely believe that television shows exist to sell soap boxes."
Trivia
Has an earring in his left ear
Played reed instruments as a child
Is an avid New Orleans Saints fan
Directed several episodes of Night Court
Has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
