Larger Than Life

Los Angeles Times

4,2 (790)
DOCUMENTAIRE
SÉRIE

In 1960s Los Angeles, after the catastrophic Watts riots, an outsized character emerged — one who found an unexpected way to unite people across race and class. Odds are you’ve never heard of him. From L.A. Times Studios, the team behind “Dirty John” and “Man in the Window,” comes “Larger Than Life,” a docu-series about Big Willie Robinson, a 6-foot-6, muscle-bound street racer who preached peace a quarter-mile at a time. Cops and criminals, movie stars and miscreants, even Crips and Bloods — out at the drag strip, Big Willie could get them all to see eye to eye, easing tensions and making L.A. a safer and more unified place. For a time, he was a celebrated figure in L.A. — but today his legend has faded. What caused him to fall into obscurity? Reported, written and hosted by Daniel Miller from the L.A. Times. Produced by L.A. Times Studios and Neon Hum Media.

BANDE-ANNONCE

Introducing Larger Than Life

This is the true story of a street racer who united Los Angeles — but left behind a tangle of questions. Reported, written and hosted by Daniel Miller from the Los Angeles Times. Premieres July 9.

S1

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3 min

4,2

sur 5

790 notes

Electrifying and poignant

07/06/2021

aguilarangel679542

This show is a fantastic look at a bit of forgotten LA history. Big Willie Robinson was an underground icon, a Black hero when LA needed one. He was flawed sure — that stunning twist in episode 5 floored me — but he made a difference in many people’s lives. This story is told with empathy and grace. You don’t have to love cars to love this story.
All heroes are imperfect

27/12/2020

EminenceGris

We like to imbue our heroes with all kinds of powers and we like to listen to their heroic stories and build them up. This however is a story about a legend who was both more and less than he seemed. Big Willie Robinson was a legend. He had a very positive impact on a segment of society at the time when it was needed. His flaws were small in comparison to the good he did. But as with a lot of heroes, he faded from memory and ended diminished. The story is fascinating complex and well told I recommend listening to this podcast for anyone interested in the history of Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s.
Old racer

13/10/2020

trucker Bryan

Great podcast, I was a street racer in the early 90’s after high school. It was great to go back in time. Now I’m a hazmat trucker Otr and appreciate these story podcast and hope y’all do more Thank you
Amazing tell all about a man who was larger than life

05/07/2020

JayGK.

I really enjoyed the seven part series about big Willie Robinson. It spoke about his origins to his highlights career highlights to his ultimate end. If you want to learn more about a man who lived, give this series a listen.

In 1960s Los Angeles, after the catastrophic Watts riots, an outsized character emerged — one who found an unexpected way to unite people across race and class. Odds are you’ve never heard of him. From L.A. Times Studios, the team behind “Dirty John” and “Man in the Window,” comes “Larger Than Life,” a docu-series about Big Willie Robinson, a 6-foot-6, muscle-bound street racer who preached peace a quarter-mile at a time. Cops and criminals, movie stars and miscreants, even Crips and Bloods — out at the drag strip, Big Willie could get them all to see eye to eye, easing tensions and making L.A. a safer and more unified place. For a time, he was a celebrated figure in L.A. — but today his legend has faded. What caused him to fall into obscurity? Reported, written and hosted by Daniel Miller from the L.A. Times. Produced by L.A. Times Studios and Neon Hum Media.