Hi, this is Sue! I run this website, the Facebook fan community, the chat room, and a bunch of other things for Larry. I’m often asked 
how I met Larry and how I came to be his “Girl Friday” of sorts. I shared a little bit of the story on the Facebook page recently and received such an enthusiastic response I thought I’d share the rest of it here.
The story starts of course in 1977 when CHiPs premiered. I was 7, and like most of you I immediately fell in love with the show and its characters. While I loved the entire gang at Central, there was something about Jon Baker that just connected with me. Maybe it was his warmth and kindness, his willingness to accept people for who they were, his gentleness with children, or his determination to make the world a better place in whatever small way he could, but he quickly became my hero. I grew up in a home damaged by alcoholism and its associated problems, and as an only child spent a lot of time alone. It was often painful, and Jon was the only positive male role model in my life for a very long time. I know most of you grew up wanting to marry Jon, but I wanted him to adopt me!
I grew up with Jon, Ponch, Sarge and the gang at Central. When the series went into syndication I did my homework with them every afternoon. One Saturday night, I was punished for something (I’ve long since forgotten what) by being sent to my room and not being able to watch the new CHiPs episode that was on that night. I was terribly upset-but then it suddenly occurred to me. If I couldn’t watch my episode, I’d write my own! And that’s exactly what I did that night, under the covers with a flashlight. It was absolutely terrible but that began my love affair with writing.
As I watched CHiPs I often wondered what it would be like to meet Larry. Of course I knew it would never happen-after all here I was a kid in Boston and he was a grown man all the way in California, which at the time seemed so far away and exotic to me. It was just a little girl’s dream. As shy has I was back then, I couldn’t even muster the courage to send him a fan letter!
When I was 10, our local paper, the Boston Herald, featured Larry in their Sunday magazine. It wasn’t a typical celebrity profile, instead Larry talked about what it was like being a famous dad and how much he loved his kids. He spoke about them with such pride and it made me love him even more! I cut out the photo that accompanied it, which showed him leaning against a stall, rope in hand, looking relaxed and content with his world, and taped it to my bedroom mirror. It stayed there until I left for college.
I sort of lost touch with CHiPs in college. With no cable TV and 3 roommates, there was just no time or way to watch. However one day after Id moved back home, there was a Braves game on TV. It ended and then I heard it-that familiar theme song. I fell in love all over again, and a few years later in 1995, I discovered a CHiPs discussion group. Sadly, it’s long defunct now, but at the time it was a truly wonderful group, made up of fan and CHiPs crew members like Randy Torno and the late great Phil Bondelli. I started sharing my CHiPs stories with them and they loved them-one of them (It was about Jon’s experiences in Vietnam and his visit to the newly opened Vietnam Memorial in DC) so much that they encouraged me to send to Larry. Phil Bondelli and his wife insisted he just had to see it. I thought they were crazy. What would Larry want to read some fan’s story for? Surely he had better things to do? Yet the group was insistent and managed to find Larry’s email address. So one day in 1997 very VERY nervously I did, not expecting to get any sort of response. Two days later I received one.
I tell you I sat in front of my computer for 15 minutes just staring at his name in my inbox. I finally opened it and it was a lovely message telling me how much he loved my story, how it made him cry and he hoped I was getting paid to write because I was that good. It was then he gave me the nickname I still have today- Miss Steinbeck.
We kept emailing each other, and it surprised me to learn how much we had in common. I still never thought we’d meet but then I learned he was coming to NYC to do a CHiPs 99 promotion. My childhood dream was going to come true.
A year or so after I sent him my story, we met. I was a shaking, stuttering wreck but it was a night I’ll never forget. The first time I ever saw Larry in person he was driving up the street toward me riding a CHP motor! Seeing the man I had grown up watching on TV right there in front of me was both amazing and absolutely terrifying. I tripped over my tongue more than once, shook like a leaf and I’m sure made a total fool of myself. Yet Larry was kind and warm and when I told him who I was he gave me a big smile and an even bigger hug. We talked for a good hour and I helped out by snapping photos of him with fans for said fans. It was a lot of fun-although I feel a little bad-Erik was there too but I was so wrapped up in talking to Larry I’m afraid I pretty much ignored him aside from saying hello!
From time to time over the next 16 years we’d get busy with our own lives but always reconnected and somewhere along the way grew from fan and celebrity to very close friends. Larry started asking for my help with things and the next thing I knew I was running his website, then the Facebook page. I absolutely love it and it’s led to some amazing experiences, like having dinner with him, Robert Pine and Catherine Bach (Daisy from Dukes of Hazzard!) in Las Vegas, getting to talk to the producers of the new Hawaii 5-0 series, helping negotiate a movie deal, and of course, the CHiPs Reunion! I look back on that with pride, yet also realize there were so many things I screwed up! It, like much of what I’ve done with and for Larry was an invaluable learning experience, and I couldn’t have done it at all with his help and encouragement. It helped me come out of my shell and become more confident in myself. Lord knows I am far from perfect but the opportunities I’ve received have really made me a stronger and better person. I’ve also made many real and lifelong friendships through the fan community, and through Larry I’ve had the rare opportunity to see fame from the other side of the coin, and to find that guess what? Most famous people are truly no different than you or I, and fame and fortune is nice, but family, integrity and love are far more important and enjoyable.
My very favorite part of being Larry’s assistant is helping at his personal appearances. I love seeing the fans’ faces when they see him for the first time and listening to their stories about how he encouraged and/or inspired them. It’s truly amazing. I hear those stories every day on the fan page and in my email too. Countless people have shared how he inspired them to pursue a career in law enforcement or like me, offered them comfort and hope while they struggled with a painful home life. I love that I get to play a small part in connecting him to you, the fans. I haven’t and never will forget what it was like to get that first email, that autograph in the mail, and meeting him for the first time. I’m still one of his biggest fans!
Every so often I look back on the journey and wonder to myself how I’ve been so lucky. I’ve decided that a higher power had something to do with bringing us together. I mean let’s face it, people generally do not grow up to become close friends with one of their favorite actors, let alone organize a reunion of the cast of their show. It just does not happen without a little help from above. I truly believe that.
At a personal appearance he did in April, I told Larry I’d be happy to pay him for his autograph just like everyone else, and he grinned, told me not to be silly and said, “Aww, you’re family!”
He’s family to me (and my husband!) too, and so much more. He is a mentor, one of my dearest, best friends, a surrogate father, and to the little girl in me, he’s still my hero. On Father’s Day I wished him a happy one and he responded to thank me, calling me his “third daughter.” I won’t lie, it brought tears to my eyes as I thought back to the time when I wanted nothing more than for Jon Baker to adopt me. It’s just been an amazing journey and I am deeply grateful and the beautiful sapphire I wear (a gift from Larry) every day reminds me of just how blessed I am.
I remember often thinking when I watched CHiPs that when I grew up I hoped I would have friends like the gang at Central. They were always there for each other, loyal and loving until the end-and I do! I never dreamed that I’d actually have them themselves as friends, but I play Scrabble with Paul Linke all the time and talk to Robert Pine from time to time. It’s been a wonderful journey from a little girl who loved CHiPs to who I am today.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my story, one I’ve been asked for many times, and that someday you’ll get to meet Larry yourselves. He is every bit as kind and warm as Jon Baker, as down to earth as they come and just a lot of fun to be around. He also has a wicked sense of humor, and truly loves and appreciates his fans. He’s has never forgotten the wonderful ride you sent him on thanks to your love for CHiPs. Your loyalty and support mean a lot to him.
Thank you all for making the Larry Wilcox fan community so very special!
What a beautiful story Sue. It was wonderful reading about your dream, which proves that dreams come true and the powers above work in mysterious ways. My family new Larry from our hometown of Rawlins, Wyoming. My dad taught him in high school. We were all very happy to see somebody from our small town grace our TV weekly! You are truly a loyal woman and it shows in your writing and your story. Thank You for sharing your story with us!
Patti Hittner- Sundita
Patti – yesterday I was at my son Chad’s basketball game and I was thinking of your Dad, Coach Hitner to me. I was thinking that such a small town Coach taught the fundamentals of basketball so very well and often Coaches today miss those cornerstones. When I coached my boys as youth, I always taught the same fundamentals. I am grateful for his time with me and thank you for stopping by and sharing with the great SUE Walsh. She is a wonderful person for sure!
Dear Sue, Dear Miss Steinbeck ;-),
I am writing to you from France… I am French, but I feel very close to you. Many thanks for this very moving text. It brought tears to my eyes. I watched CHiPS, when I was a teenager and I never forgot Jon Baker. I lived a very sad childhood and Jon Baker was my hero and still he is. He helped me to keep faith in future. Now I am very happy, but he will stay in my heart forever. I hope that I will be able to meet him and to tell him how important he was to me. Keep up the good job here and on the Facebook page, Sue!
Amicalement,
Céline
Ahhhh, mon Celine….merci et Je t’aime!
votre Jon Baker toujours
Merci rivaud ,
Ma Celine…je suis desole’ pour mon Celine, n’est ce pas?
sue, j’ai adorer ton histoires qui me touche beaucoup car tout se que tu dit sur larry est bien vrai . larry est d’un homme chaleureux et gentil et généreux .
ahhh, merci beaucoup…votre Jon Baker
Larry
Sue,
This was so awesome to read! I’m so happy that you had the opportunity and availability to meet and build a real friendship with Larry, to the point that you are extended, chosen family members!
such a great story, Sue! thanks for sharing it with us…it’s so awesome to hear how the smallest of circumstances can bring the most wonderful gifts!
I have to admit that Jon Baker was my absolute favorite on the the series as well. Can’t really explain why, other than he seemed so genuine and down to earth sometimes even unscripted. I am so happy for you Sue that you have had such a positive outcome from your sad childhood. Makes me feel that much more grateful for my wonderful parents and unblemished childhood. I’ll have to keep following this website, look forward to the possibility of meeting Larry (my dads naem as well) at a public appearance in the future myself. Congratulations with your inspiration and Good Luck! I wish you the very best.
I look forward to mtg you also Laura
Larry
I too am a die hard fan I use to watch as a young kid and pretended to be Jon on my bicycle chips peddle bike I had I would always wreck to recreate chips. I would wear a baton like Jon did also around a belt. I have all the DVDs and have them on my iPad I met Erik a few months ago when I was on a layover in Chicago .. Love this show I bet larry Wilcox would be a great guy to meet I love all his tweets .. Iam truly a sincere fan .. Chips was such a big part of my growing up period
Thanks Scott….hope to meet you in some other layover…or personal appearance.
Larry
Oh, Sue. You make me cry. Your journey is resemble with me. For some reason, I love him very much, not just because his series, but his kindness, attitude, and a good role model. He is one of my reasons to brave, hang on and face the world. I love Larry, I love you Sue. I hope some day we can meet directly. Maybe I will frozen, shaking, speechless or crying. Meet Larry is one of my dream. Hugs from Indonesia
I just now saw this story on here Sue. Wow! What a story it is. My father figure was Robert Urich from SWAT and numerous other shows. I wanted to go on Fantasy Island and get my wish come true. He was an inspiration to me. Larry is a great inspiration too. So positive in whatever he does and a great Parent too. We can all learn from him. I feel that I am a better person for meeting him and the cast from CHiPs. Thanks for writing your story for all of us to read.
I so love Larry Wilcox aka Jon baker. I grew up watching Chips in my younger years! I still love and adore him now. Hope to get a signed photo of him. That would be the greatest thing ever! ?Send my love to him.
Jobert….thank you …look forward to seeing you at the new Store
Larry
beautiful story and lucky
Larry really thinks of you as a daughter? Honestly? He really said that? Wow.
your so lucky
Yep…Larry said that…I sure did.
Larry
LOL! Hugs Larry!
Hugs to my Denica
Larry
Looking forward to the new store, also love the chatroom really like the people there. Sue is amazing at what she does!! Thanks Larry and Sue Hugs to you both!!
Thank you Terri
Larry
aww Sue that is an amazing story the bond you and Larry have is amazing I’m actually sat here crying thinking how you could have had such a hard childhood as I can kind of understand how you feel as a child as I had been moved from one foster care home to another as a child after my losing my biological parents a day after I was born due to the use of drugs that i thought I did wrong and like you found your way of getting through with watching CHiPs and wishing Jon Baker was your dad. I admit Larry is an awesome role model I may only be 21 but watching the show he has an awesome and gentle heart and his smile shows that he has that caring nature that I can see that no matter what has happened you fought through it all.
Larry what can I say you would be an amazing role model and with growing up in a country town and showing that anyone can get out and pursue what they dream of doing even if they never become famous it is the fact you show that no matter what they dream of go out and follow that dream if i could have picked someone to help me with my options I would have you as my main one although my singing days ended after a personal and hard situtation I had to face but Larry you show what it is to have strength and carry on never letting Life tear you down. Thank you Larry
Thank you Ambie….just keep pressing forward…..that is all you can do. Find Solutions and don’t wallow in the problems
Larry
Your welcome Larry and thanks I am getting my life sorted out doing my 3rd year at university and I never let what happened get to me down life is to short to dwell on the bad times
Thanks everyone for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Everyday I hear wonderful stories from fans about how Larry and CHiPs have inspired and comforted them and I was happy to share my own! A special thanks to Larry for being such a friend, father and mentor to me. Love you with all my heart! God bless….
Sue that was so inspiring. You and Larry are awesome!!
Hi I am from Toowoomba in Queensland Australia, I grew up watching CHiPs and Emergency and other shows of that genre, I miss those day’s, I am sick of reality shows and the other garbage that is on these days. I have even convinced my too teenage daughters to watch these shows, they roll their eyes but they do not get up and leave, they do enjoy them. My eldest daughter suffers from depression and some days it is just hard to see the pain in her eyes, but she always has a smile on her face after we watch an episode.
Thank you for the memories that I have and the new ones I have with my girls.
Whoa, if you think you only has garbage on TV, try to live in Brazil… I am happy for being a book reader addicted, (thats how i kept my english, improoving)
I guess I don’t watch regular TV since 2004, except for News, of course…
Amazing Story Sue…..wow Larry I have read all and you truely are an amazing guy. I grew up on the show after it aired and after you left the series. I first watched CHiPs when I was 6 years old as a child had a wild imagination(like any little kid) and Larry and Robert both became my heros(well morre my on screen fathers) as been raised just by my mum due to the fact my dad was abusive and been the youngest and very ill most my life it was hard to bond and build trust as when growing up it became harder as many family members did not treat me the same as my half brother and my sister but it was watching CHiPs and with the love from my mum I got through the hard times especially when I was been bullied all through my school years all I can say is Larry thank you for been the most amazing role model and if you ever came to Australia it would be amazing to meet you but keep up the good work and love reading all you write.
Cheers and Love
Cora-Jane
Thanks, you have no idea how your reply made my day!! Good Night!
Hi very inspiring and so similar to what I went through, alcoholism and physical abuse and the only thing that helped me out was the Chips episodes (in French, I’m from Canada) I would picture myself living in California with Jon watching over me…. I have the series on dvd and watch them every night before bed and it helps me dream of a different life I could have had… Like I said I live in a small town in Canada so no hopes in ever meeting Larry.. but I girl can still dream 🙂
Sue, I loved your story of how you felt for Larry and how you met him. There is so much love in that story that you told us; I just loved it. As you mentioned earlier while watching Chips, I kind of had the impression that Larry was playing himself as Jon Baker. And I felt that Erik was Mr. showoff. If it was not for Larry being on the show, it may have not been as successful as it was. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us; I enjoyed it.
Sue, thanks for sharing your story with all of us, I’m a Brazilian fan who also was a child when CHiPs was a new show on TV. Maybe too Young at its première, but my grandma and I never missed one episode… Had to had my homework done to be allowed to watch the show (it used to be on air at night, here in Brasil, after my bed time.) but as I was raised by my grandparents, it was one show we could watch together and enjoy it, so it was like really special time to me, now every time I watch na episode I remember that time, back on the 80’s where all was just fine…
I must say that my father figure back there was Sgt. Getraer, probably because he had children on the show. I remember that my cousin got a kit with some CHiP stuff, like a plastic hemet, the handcuffs, a wistle, a badge… I kinda, took the badge from him… well, you know, just a kid… if I was older I’d have probably got the handcuffs… Anyway, I remember a lot I did to pretend to be a CHiP, like painting my fiberglass car in black and White, well, tried to, but ran out of ink… oh the memories…
Nowadays I’m married (my husband is a COP,) we have no kids, but I watch the show with my nephew when he comes to visit and stays with us, its hard to compete with Anime, but, at least I try…
Its really amazing finding out that so many people take TV Characters to be life examples, someone to look up to. I really grew up feeling more confortable with my dream scapes trough series, cartoons, wathever, comes to my aid when I feel down.
Got to go, got a new job enterview, in one hour, I’m aplying for English Teacher at a local school, like a second job…. I live in a Small town, in Brazil, so no hopes to meet the cast, but surelly I’d try to get online on your chat sessions…
Bye!!!!
As you’ve already heard, thank you for your story. I firmly believe that things happen for a reason. Your enduring friendship with Larry is living proof.
I too loved the show as a child growing up and Larry was my favorite character. Robert Pine was and is a favorite as well. My Dad was always working to support our family and thus, was gone quite a bit. And when he was home, he was busy getting things done around the house. Watching Mr. Pine on the show gave me that father stability I felt that I lacked at the time. And now, all these years later, he’s become one of my favorites.
In a sense, I can relate to how you wanted Larry to adopt you. For me, it was Mr. Pine.
Ciao Sue grazie della tua storia.. Mi chiamo Di Paola Carmela ho 46 anni, vivo a Catania città della Sicilia (Italia) lavoro come fisioterapista (specializzazione in fisioterapia Ortopedica, Neurologica, Sportiva.. scusami non parlo inglese parlo italiano e francese. Ti racconto un pò la mia storia..
Avevo 13 anni quando ho iniziato a seguire CHIPS.. à questa età io ero una ragazza timida ma con una personalità forte, i compagni mi prendevano in giro perché non mi lasciavo coinvolgere dalle cattive compagnie,visto che abitavo ( e abito tutt’ora insieme ai miei genitori ) in un quartiere periferico con alta percentuale di delinguenzialità,( oggi la delinquenza è diminuita ) quindi non avevo molti amici. Guardando CHIPS voi siete diventati i miei amici, ho seguito tutte le puntate ,forse per te CHIPS è stato l’inizio del successo, ma per me e credo per molti altri è stato un insegnamento di vita attraverso le vostre avventure avete trasmesso valori come l’ amicizia, la solidarietà, l’amore, l’aiuto reciproco , ad andare avanti senza scoraggiarsi.. a dire NO alla timidezza, attraverso un percorso religioso, conoscenza interiore (con l’aiuto di un sacerdote)ho vinto la mia timidezza, ho conosciuto la mia migliore amica e ho iniziato a battermi per i miei diritti e quelle dei miei amici Africani .. Oggi ti scrivo per dirti GRAZIE di cuore , perché credo che un po’ di questo mio amore per l’africa lo devo anche un pochino a CHIPS.
Grazie sue per la tua storia anch’io volevo condividere con voi la mia.Mi chiamo Di Paola Carmela ho 46 anni, vivo a Catania città della Sicilia (Italia) lavoro come fisioterapista (specializzazione in fisioterapia Ortopedica, Neurologica, Sportiva)Ho lavorato 5 anni (non continuativi) in Africa come Fisioterapista volontaria, ( contratto CEI Chiesa Cattolica Italiana) in Africa mi sono inserita in un progetto locale che si occupa di persone portatori di handicap visivo , uditivo, motorio. Il mio compito era quello di formare il personale locale . continuerò poi se vi interessa…la mia esperienza in africa…
Avevo 13 anni quando ho iniziato a seguire CHIPS.. à questa età io ero una ragazza timida ma con una personalità forte, i compagni mi prendevano in giro perché non mi lasciavo coinvolgere dalle cattive compagnie,visto che abitavo ( e abito tutt’ora insieme ai miei genitori ) in un quartiere periferico con alta percentuale di delinguenzialità,( oggi la delinquenza è diminuita ) quindi non avevo molti amici. Guardando CHIPS voi siete diventati i miei amici, ho seguito tutte le puntate ,forse per te CHIPS è stato l’inizio del successo, ma per me e credo per molti altri è stato un insegnamento di vita attraverso le vostre avventure avete trasmesso valori come l’ amicizia, la solidarietà, l’amore, l’aiuto reciproco , ad andare avanti senza scoraggiarsi.. a dire NO alla timidezza, attraverso un percorso religioso, conoscenza interiore (con l’aiuto di un sacerdote)ho vinto la mia timidezza, ho conosciuto la mia migliore amica e ho iniziato a battermi per i miei diritti e quelle dei miei amici Africani .. Oggi ti scrivo per dirti GRAZIE di cuore , perché credo che un po’ di questo mio amore per l’africa lo devo anche un pochino a CHIPS. Grazie Larry.
ciao Larry oggi una mia paziente (ti ho scritto che io sono fisioterapista) prima di iniziare la fisioterapia stava seguendo in tv un episodio di CHIPS, ha riso di cuore non lo faceva da due anni da quando la malattia l’ha colpita. grazie Larry a nome suo.
Well said Sue! And true for more people than he’ll ever know. Timeless lessons, and proof that art has power, and that nature can teach us a thing or too about comportment with one another. Experience, too, if we let it! Now, who’s chopping onions in here… sniff!
Really, thanks to Mr. Wilcox for bringing to life a gentle, strong male role model we will ALWAYS need. In mentorship perfect isn’t required, just that a man (or woman) who cares and gives their best in all they have to offer.
Finally, even bigger thanks to Mr. Wilcox for his service to our country, and to all those online here, as well. The tour doesn’t end when they return home, so show them we care…
And God Bless to all. : )
I loved reading this article. I’m happy to learn I wasn’t the only girl who wanted Larry to adopt me. I’m glad your dream was met.
I also grew up watching CHiPs. My best friend and I would pretend to be Jon and Ponch riding our bikes in the neighborhood. I now have children and they have been introduced to the DVDs from season 1 and they loved it. I have caught them more than once imitating the CHP, Jon, Ponch and the rest of the cast.
I will always enjoy watching the dvds and watching Jon and Ponch. Truth is Jon was my favorite and still is to this day.
Sue,
That is lovely of how you grew up and then met a wonderful actor as Larry Wilcox, Jon Baker. I have always dreamed of meeting a lot of actors myself. I have, however met John Schneider and Tom Wopat, aka: Bo and Luke Duke, and i have met Enos too. I too grew up watching CHiPS and thought how wonderful it would be to meet Jon and Ponch and the rest of the crew.
I am hoping one day I might be Larry somewhere’s. I live in Ky as of right now, but suppose to be moving to Ga. within the next 6-7 months.
Keep up the good work Sue! Tell Larry hi.
Thanks!
Martha
Dear Sue,
Your story is very inspiring! I, like you and so many others, grew up loving everyone at Central!
Everything in my world would stop when CHiPs was on! I was determined that I was going to marry Larry someday! Dreams of an adolescent crush.
As i grew up, I lost touch with the show, and my love affair with CHiPs faded, However, every once in a while i would catch a glimpse of one of the cast members in another show, catch a bit of a CHiPs episode or hear the theme song and my heart would start to race like I had just seen an old flame.
I have CHiPs and Emergency to thank for inspiring my desire to go down a path in public safety. While I never did venture into being a police officer, I did spend 20 years as a firefighter and paramedic. I now teach doctors, nurses, paramedics and police officers emergency medicine.
One of the top things on my bucket list would be to sit down with Larry ( and you) and have a good chat over a nice cup of coffee!
If you ever make it to the Milwaukee or Chicago area, you can count on me being there!
Thank you for doing such a great job on this page! Keep up the good work.
Love and Hugs to you and Larry!
Sue,
Thank you for your story. Likes others have said, I am thrilled that you have had such a happy turn around from your not so happy childhood. I appreciate hearing your inspiring story. And, as a fellow writer, I feel a kind of kinship. (I have met so many kind people through my writing. Although, I have to say, that I have never met anyone famous, like Larry Wilcox.) I am a country girl through and through, and have always enjoyed Jon Baker… I wish that the reunion was on the east coast. If you or Larry are ever in Vermont, I hope that you will both look me up. I would love to meet you and your families. Thanks again.
Jodi
That is a beautiful story, it made me cry. I also grew up watching CHiPS. In December I got to meet Erik Estrada at a Moose International function, Erik is a member. I would love to meet Larry also. I do have terminal Cancer so I probably won’t ever get to meet Larry. You are a very blessed woman. God be with you.
Seriously awesome story! Thank you for sharing that. And thanks for all you do for us fans! I’m a sue fan now too!
Thanks Sue for Sharing Your Awesome & Amazing Story with All of Us! I hope I can attend this LA Event!
Thank you for sharing that inspirational story Sue. I really enjoyed reading it. Larry sounds like a wonderful human being and you do a wonderful job keeping up the facebook page… Your talent is a gift..
Patricia 🙂
Sue,
That was a great story. I am glad that things turned out the way they did for you. Sounds like Larry deserves someone like you as a friend. You do a great job on the website!
Hi Sue,
What a very special story you shared. And you are a terrific writer. I am incredibly shy so I probably would have been even more nervous about meeting Larry and wouldn’t even know what to say.I know it might not seem like I am shy when I am writing comments on the fan pages but I am and that shyness is a serious hurdle in my life. I have started blogging as an outlet to express myself so in my own way, i am also trying to be a writer. Anyway, thank you again for sharing your story. I enjoyed reading it very much.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story, im glad you were able to find your true potential by opening up your mind and putting it on paper, I have never seemed to be able to come out of my shell, i have lots of ideas running wildly through my head, and lots of hidden talents that ive either always been either too shy to bring them out, or ive never had the right opportunity that felt right to bring them out of me, the one thing i have accomplished though, is i have raised three wonderful children that mean more to me than anything, and they all grew up to be honest, kind, loving, hard working, and willing to go that extra mile to help others. So maybe thats what i was put here to do, to love, and to teach my children the things they needed to know to get them through life, and to help others, which is just usually giving helpful advice when theyre got a problem, but sometimes i just wonder if im meeting my ful potential, i just always feel like theres something missing in my life, maybe its because im single and havent found that special someone in my life to fulfill me, to make me whole, and to motivate me, to open my mind to its ful potential.
My son and me got to meet our childhood heros a few years ago, i always lived in a tv world when i was kid, it started with emergency, which made me want be a fire fighter, which i did for a long time, and i too liked chips, but i think my favorite show was the dukes of hazzard, and my son and had the opportunity to go to dukes fest twice, its something neither of us will ever forget, especially my son, cause he was young when we went, and we got to meet the whole cast, we didnt get to really talk to them one on one, but it was still great, i had the whole cast sign my guitar, not the the typical thing that you have the cast of a show sign, usually its mercandise from the show, but the guitar means alot to me so i had them sign it, they all seamed fine with signing it, and with john schnieder and tom wopat being singers and guitar players, i figured they would appreciate it, i have a picture of john hold my guitar up like hes playing it, its really neat, the guitar sits in my courio cabinet on display, its something ill always treasure. The second dukes fest that we went to was held in covington georgia, where the first five episodes were filmed, it was really neat to see the places where the filming took place, and they had maps showing all the filming locations, it was like a scavenger hunt, and some of them looked exacly the way they did 30 years earlier, but what was funny was the places that were only suppose to be just down the road were sometimes 20 to 30 miles away from each other, that hollywood magic at its best, ive always wanted to go to hollywood to see all the places that i grew up with on tv, and one day i will, if the opportunity ever comes up, but all these shows were a big part of my childhood cause i never really hung out with people when i was a kid, i guess my shyness and backwardness always made me feel like an outsider, ive always been kind of a loaner, so these shows were how i occupied my time, and back then that wasnt a bad thing, cause you always learned positive things from them, unlike todays programming
Maybe someday ill have the courage to come out of my shell, but thanks again for sharing your story, it makes me realize that maybe watching tv isnt such a bad thing, it might just open doors that i didnt know were there
OMG, I just love this story so much! I am so happy for you that this has happened. Dreams CAN come true! Thank you so much for sharing!
Good morning Ms. Sue and Mr. Larry!
I’m a brazilian fan and understand you and your history… I work with personal artistic assitant in Brazil, with Brazilian celebs too… when you say John it’s a example for guy and fans, it’s true…
Good luck for you and John!
Waiting new adventures with John aka Captain in Central!
See you later!
Awesome story! I’d love to meet and/or connect with some of the actors also. It’s sad that there are so many crazies out there that they have to be sooooo careful! I’m sure I’d sound like a babbling idiot though! LOL Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Sue, that was a beautiful story!! I enjoyed reading it. I grew up watching the show too and I was a huge fan and still am. I always wish I grew up in California, but I didn’t, like you, I grew up in the east coast, as a matter of fact, I was born and raised in Ct and I did visit California back in 2003 and it was exciting!!! I can say that growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s, was the best, the shows that are playing now are nothing like they were back then. I will never stop watching the show and when Larry left the show , it was never the same.
I watched CHiPs when I was young and love the show now as an adult. It brings back wonderful memories because my mother who died when I was 10, loved the show and it makes me think of her. Thanks for the memories and God Bless your New Year!
Sue:
From one ACOA (Adult Child of n Alcoholic) to another, I can more than relate. I came from a VERY conservative Baptist background ( I am a Born Again Christian), where my dad was an alcoholic before he got saved, but he NEVER really got help for this. Instead he embraced a severe legalism that that not only made the dysfunction worse, but resulted in two years of being sexually abused by a Baptist Preacher. I remember shows like CHiPs (especially when in syndication), that helped make things more bearable for me just as it did for you. I too had the same affinity for Jon, and still do. Both CHiPs, as well as another awesome show called Wonder Woman, I believe were used by God to show me that I was special in His eyes, and that I was not an inferior being because I was a female. Between these shows as well as having gotten help for what happened to me, I was inspired to FIGHT, and also to seek justice, not just for myself but for others. I thank the Lord for inspiration like this everyday, and wanted both you and Larry to know this.
Thank you for the beautiful story Sue i watched Chips when I was a kid and loved them too. Your story is an inspiration for us that dreams do come true.
Sue your story is great. I loved Larry on Chips too! He just seemed so kind. As a shy high school kid I thought he was terrific. It is wonderful that you actually met him and he really is the nice person he played on Chips. He could have been so different. I am very happy for you. Best Wishes to Larry and his friends from Chips for a Happy New Year! Thank you Sue for helping us all reconnect with a piece of our lives we fondly remember.
thanks for your heartwarming story. I have always loved chips too and i am now 46 years old. i was nine when the show started. i loved it then and i still do now. it brings back good memories of my childhood. i hated when it went off the air. there are NO shows like it now and i dont think there could be. it was wholesome and moral and just plain fun to watch. the characters were great . i hope the new movie is true to the show. so many times movie versions just ruin the shows. thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for such a wonderful story with a happy ending. I got to meet Larry briefly when he was filming “Relentless” in Camp Verde, AZ. I got his autograph and the only thing I had to write on was a horseshow entry form so I had him sign the instruction page and he told me that he had horses too. It was awesome.
Hi Sue…I enjoyed your story here of how you met Larry. I too looked up to him as a teenager..people like him made me want to go down the right path in life. I would love to meet him in person one day soon (I’m in Ohio so I hope he comes here soon one day as I don’t seem to get out much, lol) I saw a lot of me in you In your telling your story..I almost teared up too.. Anyways, I am a newbie here but an old time big fan of CHIPS.. Hopefully we can become friends over time too..Always nice to meet new ones and I value my friends for life…take care Sue. Jane Burris in Tiffin, Ohio
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Not sure anyone reads the comments posted several years later. I am a few years younger than you Sue and I also admired the character of Jon Baker as a child. Thank you for sharing your story…You are a very good writer. I think a little divine intervention brought you two together. You both write with such beautiful honesty and vulnerability. At 44 it is still a dream of mine to meet Larry one day and have at few minutes of his time to say thank you. I enjoy the column and the Facebook posts….His remarks challenge me to stretch my mind and expand my perspective.
I’m just rambling now….Thank you
Melinda
sue that GREAT story i really like it A BIG CHIPS AS OF THIS PAST SUMMER 2023 IM FROM ORLANDO FL SOULD LOVE TO MEET HIM SOMETIME
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