Laurence D. "Larry" Weiss, born on March 25, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, is an esteemed American songwriter and musician. Raised in Queens, New York, Weiss began writing songs in his teenage years while working in his family's textile sales business. His career took a significant turn when he was hired as a freelance songwriter by producer-composer Wes Farrell. Weiss's first major success came in 1963 when Nat "King" Cole recorded "Mr. Wishing Well," a song he co-wrote with Lockie Edwards Jr.

Throughout the mid to late 1960s, Weiss co-wrote several successful songs with lyricist Scott English, including "Bend Me, Shape Me," a hit for The American Breed and Amen Corner, and "Hi Ho Silver Lining," a UK hit for Jeff Beck. He also co-wrote "Help Me Girl," a hit for Eric Burdon & The Animals, and "Mr. Dream Merchant" for Jerry Butler and New Birth. Weiss's song "Evil Woman" was recorded by the U.K. blues-rock band Spooky Tooth.

In 1971, Weiss relocated to Los Angeles, where he worked for Famous Music and recorded the album Black & Blue Suite in 1974. The album featured "Rhinestone Cowboy," which became a US no.1 hit for Glen Campbell in 1975 and was named the Country Music Association's Song of the Year in 1976. Another track from the album, "Lay Me Down," was covered by Barry Manilow and Glen Campbell.

Weiss performed the theme song for the sitcom Who's the Boss? during its first two seasons in the 1980s. In 1992, he moved to Nashville and continued his songwriting career while developing a musical based on "Rhinestone Cowboy." In 2010, he released an album titled Cuts and Scratches.