Whatever happened to Larry Beecham (J.J.'s pal "Cool Breeze" from "Wheels")?

[EccentricGenius]

In season five's "Wheels," we are introduced to J.J.'s circle of friends, "The Awesome Foursome," consisting of Poppo (Randolph Martin), Cool Breeze (Larry Beecham), Head (T.K. Carter), and, of course, J.J. himself. Their "roll call" was definitely the highlight of the episode, the closing of which appears here:

United we stand, divided we fall
We're tighter than pantyhose two sizes small
J.J.! Cool Breeze! Poppo! Head!
We're "The Awesome Foursome" until we are dead!

Martin and Carter reprised their respective roles later that season in "J.J. and the Boss' Daughter," but sadly, Beecham was noticeably absent from the episode; as a result of Beecham's absence, "The Awesome Foursome" was whittled down to "The Gleesome Threesome."

And the closing of their "roll call" was also tweaked because of Beecham's absence; here are the altered lyrics:

United we stand, divided we fall
We're tighter than pantyhose two sizes small
J.J.! Poppo! Good ol' Head!
We're "The Gleesome Threesome" until we are dead!

My question is this: Whatever happened to Larry Beecham? Beecham apparently had a terrible drug problem at that time (1977); he was battling an addiction to heroin. I'm wondering if he's still alive and kicking or if he's deceased due to his heroin addiction (among other things)...inquiring minds want to know. Drug addiction is no laughing matter...just look at all the celebrities (and ordinary people) that have parished because of drugs.

Coincidentally, Beecham co-starred with Ja'net "Willona" DuBois in the Sidney Poitier-Bill Cosby vehicle "A Piece Of The Action," which was released during "Good Times's" fifth season (1977-78).

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