Larry Thomas (actor)
{{short description|American actor}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2025}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Larry Thomas
| image = 10.1.10LarryThomasByLuigiNovi.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Thomas at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan on October 1, 2010
| birth_name = Laurence Tomashoff
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|64|2021|6|11}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1980–present
| website = {{url|https://www.realsoupnazi.com/}}
}}
Laurence Tomashoff (born {{birth based on age as of date|64|2021|6|11|noage=yes}}),{{cite news |last=Reinherz |first=Adam |date=2021-06-11 |title='Soup Nazi' credits success to Jerry Seinfeld — and his Jewish mother |url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/soup-nazi-credits-success-to-jerry-seinfeld-and-his-jewish-mother/ |work=The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle |access-date=2023-02-11 |quote=...said Thomas, 64...}} known professionally as Larry Thomas, is an American actor, best known for his guest role as Yev Kassem/the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award.{{cite web|title=Con-tamination 2010|url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/slideshow/con-tamination-2010-29813604/|work=Riverfront Times|accessdate=11 May 2011|year=2010|quote=Larry Thomas, best known as Seinfeld{{'}}s 'Soup Nazi,' talked to fans, signed ladles, and told tales of celebrity encounters of his own.}} In addition to making personal appearances as the Soup Nazi, Thomas has appeared in a number of films, TV shows, and commercials, and appears at autograph-signing shows across the country.
Early life
Thomas was born in the New York City borough of Brooklyn to an observant Jewish family of Russian and Romanian background.{{Cite web|url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/soup-nazi-credits-success-to-jerry-seinfeld-and-his-jewish-mother/|title='Soup Nazi' credits success to Jerry Seinfeld — and his Jewish mother | The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle}} His parents divorced and he moved to California alongside his mother and sister when he was 11. He attended Hebrew school after school hours.{{Cite web |title=Liz Biro talks to the 'Seinfeld' Soup Nazi|first=Liz |last=Biro |work=The Indianapolis Star |date=February 19, 2015|accessdate=September 21, 2016 |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/dining/2015/02/19/seinfeld-soup-nazi-soupfest-indy/23681451/}}
Career
=Acting=
Prior to acting, Thomas had jobs as a bail bondsman and court investigator.
He is best known for his role as Yev Kassem in the "Soup Nazi" episode of the television sitcom Seinfeld. Thomas took an acting workshop taught by Jeffrey Tambor. Tambor was fascinated by Thomas’ acting in a workshop and his classmates convinced Tambor to write a letter to Marc Hirschfield, casting director of The Larry Sanders Show (which starred Tambor) as well as Seinfeld. Thomas, who was a huge fan of the series, got a call from Hirschfield for the character and attended his audition in character in a military uniform, and won the role by improvising his now-famous line, "No soup for you!"{{cite web |title='Seinfeld': How a Bail Bondsman Became the Soup Nazi |date=2015-06-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325043311/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/seinfeld-soup-nazi-reveals-secrets-805555/amp/ |archive-date=2023-03-25 |url-status=live |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/seinfeld-soup-nazi-reveals-secrets-805555/amp/}} His widely acclaimed performance earned him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1996,{{cite news|title='Soup Nazi' role gives struggling actor taste of fame, shot at Emmy|newspaper=The Arizona Republic|first=Dave|last=Walker|date=September 6, 1996}} which he lost to Tim Conway for Coach. He reprised the role in the series' final episode.
In 1997, he made a cameo appearance as the blackjack dealer in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, sharing the scene with Mike Myers and Robert Wagner. In 2004, he guest-starred as himself in the Scrubs episode "My Self-Examination", where the main character tried to trick him into saying the Soup Nazi's catchphrase, "No Soup for You!" He also played a Soup Nazi-like "food cop" in a commercial for the Center for Consumer Freedom.{{Cite web|url=http://www.consumerfreedom.com/pressRelease_detail.cfm/release/70|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207000152/http://www.consumerfreedom.com/pressRelease_detail.cfm/release/70|url-status=dead|title=Press Release | Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi" Stars as Food Cop in New Ad|archivedate=December 7, 2006}} That same year he guest-starred in the television series Drake & Josh as Bob Galloway in the episode "2 Idiots and a Baby."
In 2006, Thomas made an appearance in Scott Grenke's independent comedy feature Spaced Out (which includes a variation of the catchphrase). This was the start of a working relationship with Boomstick Films{{Cite web|url=http://www.boomstickfilms.com/Films.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305223359/http://www.boomstickfilms.com/Films.html|url-status=usurped|title=boomstickfilms|archivedate=March 5, 2010}} which includes co-starring roles in Not Another B Movie, Dr. Spine, and the award-winning Paranormal Activity spoof Paranormal Calamity.
In other later roles of note, Larry has portrayed each of the two most iconic Middle Eastern villains of American history. In 2006, he guest-starred in Arrested Development as a Saddam Hussein lookalike. An earlier joke had one character having a photo taken with the real Saddam, after mistaking him for Thomas. Thomas also played the role of Osama bin Laden in Uwe Boll's 2008 shock comedy film Postal.
In 2009, Thomas appeared in the independent feature Untitled Horror Comedy playing the role of "Dwayne."
In February 2012, Thomas again appeared as the Soup Nazi in an Acura NSX commercial featuring comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno.
In February 2013, he began filming for Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure, a video game using live-action cut-scenes.Matulef, Jeffrey (November 9, 2013). [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-09-11-tesla-effect-a-tex-murphy-adventure-gets-an-eight-minute-trailer "Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure gets an eight minute trailer"]. Eurogamer.
In 2016, he appeared in a short comedy film The Love Suckers, playing a marriage therapist giving bad advice to a couple along with Eddie Deezen and Caryn Richman.
His latest project is Dads!, a television sitcom pilot that is written, directed, and produced by Thomas and David Everhart Castro. It is currently in post-production.
=Public appearances as the Soup Nazi=
In 2006, Thomas began selling autographed photographs of himself through catalogs such as Wall Street Creations Inc., glaring at the camera in chef's garb, with the handwritten notation "No soup for you!"
In 2011, Thomas appeared dressed as the Soup Nazi at a New York Mets game. He gave DVDs to fans who correctly answered trivia questions.{{cite news|title=Actor Larry Thomas appears at Mets game in character as Soup Nazi from 'Seinfeld'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/actor-larry-thomas-appears-at-mets-game-in-character-as-soup-nazi-from-seinfeld/2011/05/07/AFsi2NLG_story.html|accessdate=11 May 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=8 May 2011|agency=Associated Press|location=New York|quote=Actor Larry Thomas, who played the ornery soup genius on the TV show 'Seinfeld' appeared — in character — to give DVD prizes to fans at Citi Field who correctly answered trivia questions about the show.}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In 2012, he again appeared as the Soup Nazi while touring the United States with a Seinfeld food truck, allowing fans to pose with him and signing autographs.
On July 5, 2014, he appeared at Brooklyn Cyclones as the Soup Nazi to celebrate Salute to Seinfeld Night, and threw out the first pitch.
In 2015, he reprised his role as the Soup Nazi when Hulu opened "Seinfeld: The Apartment" in New York City, creating a real-world version of Jerry Seinfeld's Upper West Side apartment, complete with a show memorabilia gallery and interactive Seinfeld fan experience to mark the streaming debut of all episodes of the series on Hulu.
=Music=
Larry has written and recorded songs: "Nico's Song (With Out You)" written for Dads!,{{cite web|title=Nico's Song (With Out You) – Larry Thomas |website=CD Baby|url=https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrythomas1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402173313/https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrythomas1|archive-date=2019-04-02|access-date=2019-04-02|url-status=dead}} "It's Angela (The Wife I Choose)",{{Cite web|title=It's Angela (The Wife I Choose) – Larry Thomas|website=CD Baby |url=https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrythomas12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402170617/https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrythomas12|archive-date=2019-04-02|access-date=2019-04-02|url-status=dead}} "Running, Running, Running (Ben's Song),{{Citation|title=Running, Running, Running (Ben's Song) – Larry Thomas |website=CD Baby|url=https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrythomas14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402173313/https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrythomas14|archive-date=2019-04-02|access-date=2019-04-02|url-status=dead}} and "Ma! (Ode to Dorine)".
=Gun control advocacy=
In 2013, Serbu Firearms refused to sell their model BFG-50A semi-automatic .50 rifles to the New York City Police Department after the passage of the NY SAFE Act that classified their weapon as an assault rifle. Accompanying this, Serbu then had T-shirts printed with an image of Thomas as The Soup Nazi and the words "No Serbu For You". Thomas, a gun control advocate, contacted Facebook and the T-shirt printers to have the shirts removed.{{cite journal |author=Berman, Jillian |date=April 3, 2013 |title=Larry Thomas, 'Soup Nazi' Actor, Pushes Serbu Firearms To Pull Pro-Gun T-Shirt Featuring His Face |journal=The Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/larry-thomas-serbu-firearms_n_3007567.html |access-date=April 25, 2013}} Serbu later removed the image of Thomas and replaced it with one of their founder Mark Serbu.{{cite web |author=Higginbotham, David |date=April 9, 2013 |publisher=guns.com |title=No Serbu For You, Soup Nazi Wants His Image Back |url=http://www.guns.com/2013/04/09/no-serbu-for-you-soup-nazi-wants-his-image-back/ |access-date=April 25, 2013}}{{Cite web|last=Blum|first=Sam|date=2013-04-02|title=No catchphrase for you! Seinfeld's Soup Nazi in a stew over gunmaker Serbu|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/02/seinfeld-soup-nazi-gunmaker-serbu|access-date=2022-02-05|website=The Guardian|language=en}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 1980
|Terror on Tour |Tim | |
| 1988
|Artie Benson | rowspan="2" |Direct-to-video |
| 1991
|F.A.R.T. the Movie |Guest |
| 1997
|Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery |Casino Dealer | |
| 1998
|Surface to Air |Colonel Mustafa Kahlid | |
| 1998
|Hyacinth |Mideastern Man | |
| 1999
|When Actors Attack |Angry Actor | |
| 2003
|BachelorMan |Doctor | |
| 2005
|Knight to F4 |Chess Reporter | |
| 2006
|Spaced Out |Senator Hardly |Direct-to-video |
| 2007
| |
| 2007
|Frankie D |Happy | |
| 2009
|Untitled Horror Comedy |Dwayne | |
| 2010
|Paranormal Calamity |Dr. Dick Asskis | |
| 2010
|Larry | |
| 2010
|Changing Hands |Barry | |
| 2011
|We Will Rock You |Hamid Bin Al-Sheib | |
| 2011
|Redemption: For Robbing the Dead |Josiah | |
| 2012
|3 of a Kind |Mr. Cook | |
| 2013
|You Don't Say! |Mr. Melendez | |
| 2014
|108 Stitches |Coach Kassem Bosco | |
| 2014
|Hacks |Larry | |
| 2015
|Doctor Spine |Doctor Chiller | |
| 2015
|Spades |The Professor | |
| 2016
|Mind Over Mindy |Dr. Ivan Fischer | |
| 2016
|Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel |Al Yagen, Food Cart Vendor | |
| 2018
|Red Team Go |The Boss | |
| 2022
|Honest to God |Dr. Haija | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 1981
|Singing Messenger |Episode: "Andrea's Crush" |
| 1995, 1998
|Yev Kassem |Episode: "The Soup Nazi"; "The Finale" |
| 1996
|Kirk |Maynard |Episode: "Hey, Hey We're the Hartmans" |
| 1996
|Ticket agent |Episode: "Fire Music" |
| 1996
|Mr. Rolfe |Episode: "The Impossible Mission Episode" |
| 1996, 1997
|Arabic Man / Sheik Caspia |2 episodes |
| 1997
|Maitre'd |Episode: "Caroline and the Kept Man" |
| 1997
|Girard |Episode: "The Headmaster's Daughter" |
| 1998
|Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction |Grant |2 episodes |
| 1998
|Man #1 |Episode: "Thanks... But No Thanksgiving" |
| 1998
|Zampano |Episode: "And the Sabrina Goes to..." |
| 1999
|Nelson |Episode: "Vengeance" |
| 1999
|Achmed Sabib |Episode: "My Man Sammo" |
| 2001
|Giancarlo |Episode: "Hot Potato" |
| 2002
|Akhmad the Taxi Driver |Episode: "Give Me Some Credit" |
| 2002
|Sympathy Cop |Sympathy Cop |3 episodes |
| 2003
|Barry |Episode #1.10184 |
| 2003
|CSI: Crime Scene Investigation |Convenience Store Clerk |Episode: "Last Laugh" |
| 2003
|Sheik |Television film |
| 2004
|Mr. Galloway |Episode: "Two Idiots and a Baby" |
| 2004
|Larry |Episode: "My Self-Examination" |
| 2005
|Studio House |Nathan |Television film |
| 2005
|Norm |Episode: "The Order" |
| 2005
|DMV Worker |Episode: "Whatever Lola Wants" |
| 2006
|Saddam Hussein #3 |Episode: "Exit Strategy" |
| 2017
|Mommy, I Didn't Do It |Mr. Allen |Television film |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role |
| 2014
|Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure |Lt. Danwicz |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Larry Thomas}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCamLox70rWoAmeJ5lJOK3JA Larry Thomas on YouTube]
- {{IMDb name|id=0859130|name=Larry Thomas}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Larry}}
Category:American gun control activists
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American people of Romanian-Jewish descent
Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent
Category:Jewish American male actors
Category:Male actors from Brooklyn
Category:Activists from New York (state)