Larry Kleno(1933-2010)
- Additional Crew
Joseph Edward "Larry" Kleno was born March 14, 1933 in Calumet, Michigan, the only child of
Joanna and Edward Kleno. Growing up during the depths of The
Depression, Larry found escape at the movies. He was barely more than a
toddler when his mother noted his natural talent for dancing, and he
began performing at local events. Later on, after a teacher suggested
he consider pursuing a career in show business, it became his goal. But
after a teenage sojourn in NYC (resulting in sporadic chorus work)
Larry returned to Michigan and enlisted in the Army (the Korean War).
Upon discharge he gave New York another try, this time with more
success. But Hollywood and the movies was still on his mind and, in his
late 20s, he headed west.
Between jobs as a movie extra ("King Rat", etc) he found work with United Fan Mail Service. It was while doing this work that Larry's empathy with actors led him to his ultimate destiny and a friendship with legendary publicist, Helen Ferguson.
By the mid-1960s Ferguson's list of clients had grown to more than 200 and it was starting to overwhelm her. Often Helen would call on Larry for help, and this is how he came to know her foremost client, Barbara Stanwyck. Later, after Ferguson suffered a stroke and closed her agency, Stanwyck asked Larry if he would take on the job. Thus was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Through the years, Kleno was the person Stanwyck called on during times of crisis (the day her house burned, the night she was beaten and robbed) and, finally, he was the one she chose to scatter her ashes over her favorite Lone Pine film location.
Kleno was the author of the much admired book "Kim Novak on Camera", as well as numerous magazine articles on the entertainment industry. At the time of his passing, he had two novels and a biography of actress Jean Seberg ready for publication. He was also the CEO of VIP Fan Mail which served scores of A-list celebrities. But Larry was much more than a publicist, he was also their dear and trusted friend. A true gentleman whose thoughtfulness and generosity was legendary.
He died January 13, 2010 at his home in Los Angeles. Although he had been ill for several months, he didn't retire until the middle of December --- so much was he devoted to his clients.
Between jobs as a movie extra ("King Rat", etc) he found work with United Fan Mail Service. It was while doing this work that Larry's empathy with actors led him to his ultimate destiny and a friendship with legendary publicist, Helen Ferguson.
By the mid-1960s Ferguson's list of clients had grown to more than 200 and it was starting to overwhelm her. Often Helen would call on Larry for help, and this is how he came to know her foremost client, Barbara Stanwyck. Later, after Ferguson suffered a stroke and closed her agency, Stanwyck asked Larry if he would take on the job. Thus was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Through the years, Kleno was the person Stanwyck called on during times of crisis (the day her house burned, the night she was beaten and robbed) and, finally, he was the one she chose to scatter her ashes over her favorite Lone Pine film location.
Kleno was the author of the much admired book "Kim Novak on Camera", as well as numerous magazine articles on the entertainment industry. At the time of his passing, he had two novels and a biography of actress Jean Seberg ready for publication. He was also the CEO of VIP Fan Mail which served scores of A-list celebrities. But Larry was much more than a publicist, he was also their dear and trusted friend. A true gentleman whose thoughtfulness and generosity was legendary.
He died January 13, 2010 at his home in Los Angeles. Although he had been ill for several months, he didn't retire until the middle of December --- so much was he devoted to his clients.
