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

(1998-04-12) April 12, 1998 (age 26)
Islip, Long Island, New York
Alma materPace University
Occupation(s)Actor, dancer
Years active2007–present
Websitewww.larrysaperstein.com

Life and career edit

Saperstein 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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Seniors Merit being Commended". Islip School District. 4 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  4. ^ "Meet Larry". Larry Saperstein. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "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.

External links edit