Dr. Lawrence Dykstra (Larry) is a recurring character in ALF. He is a psychologist and friend of Willie's who was initially called in to help resolve a conflict between Willie and ALF. One of the reasons that Willie chose to talk to Larry was because of his ethical commitment to privacy.
Biography[]
Dr. Dykstra first appeared in the twentieth episode Going Out of My Head Over You. Larry worked with some clients. He was happy to see Willie Tanner again and decided to accept his invitation to meet ALF. The psychologist was surprised to see the alien and helped Willie and ALF with some misunderstandings.
Larry sometimes came over to the Tanner residence to talk to ALF.
Appearance[]
Larry is a fair-skinned man with gray eyes and graying brown hair.
Etymology[]
Lawrence is an English name meaning "from Laurentum." Larry's surname Dykstra comes from the Frisian word dyk, meaning "dike" or "ditch."
Trivia[]
- Dr. Larry Dykstra was played by Bill Daily, who played the next door neighbor Howard Borden on The Bob Newhart Show. ALF refers to The Bob Newhart Show in Going Out of My Head Over You. One of Larry's patients in the waiting room was played by Jack Riley, who played Mr. Carlin on The Bob Newhart Show. His character has a similar disposition in this episode. Bob Newhart, of course, played a psychologist in The Bob Newhart Show.