In addition to being one the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms of all time (and certainly one of my favorites), Seinfeld boosted the fame and recognition of many up-and-coming performers. There are few who are more recognizable for playing one single role in one episode (plus a cameo in the series finale) as Larry Thomas, who portrayed The Soup Nazi in the episode of the same name. Granted he did a great job in this role, and was even nominated for an Emmy for it, but I’m guessing that he has made more money in peddling his autograph over the past five years or so than he ever made in this solitary role.
When I met him at the Chicago Hollywood Celebrities Show on March 14, 2010, he was selling both photos and soup ladles. Not knowing what I would possibly do with a signed soup ladle, I opted for the photo seen above. He was a nice guy, perfectly willing to pose for a photo, and having a completely different voice and accent than the one he used in the show (which he had emulated from Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia).
Meeting Larry Thomas was less about meeting an outstanding performer, but more like handling an invaluable prop from an all-time classic show. I didn’t tell him that though. Otherwise he might have kicked me out of line.
I saw Larry Thomas again just a couple of months later at the Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank on April 24, 2010. This time he had grown his familiar moustache back. I was tempted to ask for an updated picture, but again, I was afraid of hearing “No picture for you!!”
Celebrities from the March 2010 Chicago show will continue…
I love that show!
Bev
May 24th, 2010