Lawrence Monoson, the actor best known for his leading role in the 1980s cult classic The Last American Virgin, has been spotted enjoying a rare public outing in Los Angeles this week.
From Teen Star to Cult Icon
The 61-year-old star, whose career began when he was just a teenager, was seen enjoying a casual stroll while sporting a printed black shirt and grey sweatpants. Monoson, who has worked alongside major celebrities including Cher, Sally Field, and Eric Stoltz, was photographed chatting on the phone and soaking up the warm California sunshine.
His professional acting career launched with his first movie credit in 1982's The Last American Virgin, a coming-of-age sex comedy based on the 1978 Israeli film Lemon Popsicle. Remarkably, Monoson was only 16 years old when he was cast. In a past interview, he revealed he initially auditioned for a different part because the lead role of Gary was already cast, but after reading lines, the role was ultimately given to him.
Reflecting on the film's enduring status as a cult favourite, Monoson expressed it was "remarkable" that people remain interested decades later. "I've met so many young men who have expressed their feelings of what it was like to see somebody they can relate to on the screen," he said, referencing his character's heart-breaking fate of not getting the girl. "To be represented like that I think made a powerful mark on them."
A Diverse Career Across Film and Television
Monoson quickly diversified his portfolio, venturing into the horror genre just two years later with a role in Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), the fourth instalment in the famed slasher franchise.
In 1985, he took on the role of Ben in the critically acclaimed biographical drama Mask, starring alongside Cher and Eric Stoltz. The film, based on the life of Roy L. 'Rocky' Dennis, won the Academy Award for Best Makeup in 1986 and earned Cher a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
His career transitioned successfully to television throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with appearances on a string of popular shows including:
- Beverly Hills, 90210
- ER
- Star Trek: Enterprise
- Cold Case
- NCIS
His last credited television role was an episode of CSI:NY in 2010, and his final credit overall was for a Friday The 13th documentary in 2013.
A Quiet Life and an Anticipated Return
While Monoson has maintained a low profile for over a decade, it appears his acting hiatus may be coming to an end. According to his official IMDB page, the New York-born actor is slated to star in an upcoming short film titled The Chip Person, signalling a potential return to the screen that first made him a relatable figure to a generation of filmgoers.
