"The Conners" star Michael Fishman has opened up about his adopted teenage son's tragic death. Larry passed away in June following a drug overdose. The news came as a shock to Michael, who explained in an interview on the "Tamron Hall Show" that his son did not struggle with addiction.
"It wasn't so much a struggle for him. People try things over time and that wasn't really an issue overall," Michael, who shares daughter Isabelle and son Aaron with ex-wife Jennifer Briner, said.
He explained that Larry had "moved to a house in transition after living with his sister for a little while, and he tried drugs that turned out to be bad drugs that multiple people had a very serious reaction."
"I feel like I came to Larry, maybe later than I wish I could. And I think for parents, you know, you wish you had more time," he continued. "You don't always get the time that you want," he added
During his interview, Michael also spoke of how Larry, who was in foster care, and his sister, Camille, came into his life.
"I think he chose me, to be fair. I have two biological children from a previous marriage and at the end of that marriage I met his older sister, Camille, who a friend of mine kind of said, 'She needs some support and guidance and mentorship,'" he said. "We became a family unit."
Michael has kept the death of his son private until now but has chosen to speak up in hopes that his story may help other families in similar situations.
"A couple years ago, I probably would have never shared this, to be honest with you," he explained. "The really important part is that you're brave enough to admit when you struggle, and that you need help or that you aren't strong."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.