- John Larroquette has returned to his most popular series in his 70s.
- He and his wife of over four decades live quietly in a rural setting.
- Larroquette and his wife have three children, and he took being a father very seriously.
John Larroquette is best known for his role in the popular series "Night Court," which ran from 1984 until 1992. Yet he also had roles in many other popular titles like "Madhouse," "Star Trek," "Richie Rich," and "Boston Legal." From 1993 to 1996, he even had his self-titled show.
While his Hollywood career was a success, he still found time to marry the love of his life and raise three beautiful children with her.
John Larroquette as Dan Fielding in "Night Court" in 1987. | Source: Getty Images
Larroquette began his career as a DJ for "underground" radio in the 1960s and then moved from New Orleans to Los Angeles to find more opportunities. Yet he had many more experiences before he finally landed his role in "Night Court."
When Larroquette arrived in Los Angeles, he did gigs in exchange for marijuana and eventually had to enter rehab for excessive drinking. By 1983, he finally had his first audition for "Night Court."
While building his career, he wed his wife, Elizabeth, and the couple have been married for 48 years. He remained in Hollywood for a while but recently admitted to considering himself retired. However, that has all changed.
John Larroquette at the Women Helping Women event in 1991 in Los Angeles. | Source: Getty Images
John Larroquette as Dan Fielding in "Night Court" in the 1990s. | Source: Getty Images
While the actor had said he was satisfied with being away from Hollywood, he recently revealed that he would return to the very role that made him a household name in the 1980s.
In January 2023, a new version of "Night Court" premiered on NBC, with 75-year-old Larroquette reprising his original role as Dan Fielding. The show follows the same outline as in the 1980s but is set decades later.
What Does Larroquette's Life Look Like Now?
Larroquette and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Cookson, have an enduring love story that began when they met in 1974 while working on a play called "Enter Laughing." The couple tied the knot a year later.
John Larroquette and Elizabeth Cookson at the Fundraiser Gala for St. Jude Children's Hospital in 1996. | Source: Getty Images
Larroquette and Cookson exchanged vows on July 4, 1975, because it was the only day they had off from rehearsing their play. While Larroquette focused on his career, he admitted that his wife put up with him, which was more than he could ask for.
Larroquette said he didn't know the secret to their long and happy marriage but that he knew his wife had a lot of patience and was willing to be with him throughout the years.
When Larroquette announced that he was satisfied being away from Hollywood and was asked what he would do next, he admitted he wanted to spend more time with Cookson, clarifying:
"There was a lot of time apart because of the logistics of raising a family and maintaining a career. We're now a couple again and try to find the pleasure in that."
Elizabeth Cookson and John Larroquette at the 65th Annual Tony Awards. | Source: Getty Images
The couple lives around 30 miles north of Portland, Oregon, in Southwest Washington. Cookson and Larroquette moved there five years ago onto a rural property. Since moving, Larroquette has been reading books and narrating plays in his home recording studio.
Although they enjoy their rural life, they sometimes travel to the city on a date to see a new play or try a restaurant they haven't eaten at before. Larroquette believes he is now at the age when he should slow down and enjoy such things.
John Larroquette and Elizabeth Cookson at Gore Vidal's "The Best Man" Broadway opening night party in 2012. | Source: Getty Images
When the actor began considering retirement, he consulted his wife and financial advisers, joking that he could afford to because none of his children needed bail money. His financial advisers confirmed he could retire if he didn't purchase many more rare books or live past 105.
What Is Larroquette's Life As A Father Like?
Amid all the beautiful things Larroquette achieved during his career, he is most proud of his role as a father to his and Cookson's three children. His role as a husband and father is essential to the actor as he is the only child of divorced parents and has lived through drug addiction and alcoholism.
Elizabeth Cookson, John Larroquette, and their son, Benjamin, at the Revlon Run-Walk for Women Beneifting Los Angeles Permanent Charities in 1996. | Source: Getty Images
Cookson and Larroquette welcomed their children Lisa, Jonathan, and Ben throughout Larroquette's career, and they are now all adults with their careers. Lisa is a graphic designer, Jonathan is a successful podcaster, and the couple's youngest son, Ben, composed the theme song for the new "Night Court" series.
Talking about what his children have achieved and what they all mean to him, Larroquette said: "They're all lovely." However, becoming a father was a challenge for the veteran actor.
Larroquette grew up without a dad and was primarily raised by the woman in his family, like his mother, grandmother, and aunts. He felt when he became a father; he had nothing to refer back to that would help him do well as a dad.
John Larroquette, Elizabeth Cookson, and their son, Jonathan, at the Moscow Circus opening in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
For this reason, Larroquette found being a faithful husband and loving father one of his most important jobs. He once shared:
"I love my children for eternity, try to help them as much as I can, and still allow them to be themselves."
Although his children are now adults, the actor admitted that he longed for the days when he would hug them often and play with them like he did when they were younger, even though they didn't want to anymore.
John Larrouquette and his son, Jonathan, at the opening of the Moscow Circus in 1990. | Source: Getty Images
Larroquette shared that he has sometimes thought of talking to his children about his not having a father but he knew they couldn't be objective about it. Regardless, he gushed: "I love them deeply."
About his current life approach, he says he is taking it one day at a time. He revealed that he learned his lesson at 32 when he stopped drinking and that we only have the present moment.
John Larroquette as Dan Fielding on "Night Court" in 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Larroquette encouraged fans to use the present in their lives as much as possible. He has now used his present to take up his role in "Night Court" again.
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