Larry A. Biren

Larry A. Biren of Mt. Laurel, NJ died May 15, 2023. He was the husband of Lisa Biren, father of Rachael (Kyle) Grover, Michael Biren and Sarah Biren; grandfather of Chase, Sydney and Finn and brother of Judi Prettyman. Larry graduated from Temple University with a degree in Theatre. When he first started at Temple he was pre-med and was going to be an eye doctor. However in his second year Larry auditioned for a production, got cast, and he was hooked for the rest of his life. After graduation,

Larry got his Equity card when he was cast in the Bicentennial Wagon Train in 1976. He spent six months on horseback traveling from Pennsylvania, down to Louisiana, and back. Performing in towns of all sizes along the route in order to give everyone an opportunity to experience the bicentennial. During this tour he taught himself how to play guitar and rode an arabian. He ended up at Valley Forge on July 3rd, 1976 and at midnight performed for, and led a sea of people in the National Anthem.

Larry continued to act while teaching in the Philadelphia Public School system. He enjoyed performing in musicals, but eventually found his passion in directing. He met his wife on August 19th, 1977 and a year later on August 19th, 1978 they were married. After their first child, Rachael, was born they moved to Cherry Hill, and were thrilled to bring into the world their son Michael, and their youngest daughter Sarah.

Larry directed all of the shows at the JCC in Cherry Hill for ten years and was the director of the Cherry Hill Arts Advisory Board, before accepting a position at the JCC in West Orange as Cultural Director of Arts. Larry continued directing and performing for a few years, but was exhausted from the commute and after Lisa’s aunt passed he stepped in to help run the family business, Penn Scale, in Philadelphia.

During this time Larry continued to direct and teach at Rutgers University, as well as several different high schools in South Jersey. He continued to direct until Parkinson’s disease got the better of him a couple of years ago and could no longer continue. He influenced thousands with his acting, directing, and teaching.

His commanding presence and soft-spoken voice will be forever missed.

Relatives and friends are invited Wednesday, May 17th beginning 3:45 pm to PLATT MEMORIAL CHAPELS, Inc. 2001 Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ where funeral services will begin promptly at 4:30 pm. The service will also be live streamed on plattmemorial.com

Contributions can be made to Running for Research - Prader-Willi Syndrome, www.runningforresearchpws.com or the Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org.