This article is about the character from the television series. For the movie rendition, see Larry Zito (Film).

Lawrence "Larry" Zito (played by John Diehl, 1950 - 1987) was a Detective of the Metro-Dade Police Department and an undercover detective in the Organized Crime Bureau, Vice Division. Zito performed surveillance duties with Stan Switek in their "Bug Van". Zito was murdered by Oswaldo Guzman, a gambler he was working undercover to bring down, in 1987.

Life before ViceEdit

Zito was born in 1950 in North Miami-Dade County. to James, a policeman, and Elena Zito, a city councilwoman. James was killed in a shootout in 1961 when Zito was 11.

Joining ViceEdit

In 1979 He joined the Metro-Dade police as an uniformed officer, working his way up to Detective in the Organized Crime Bureau-Vice Division. And was assign to Stan Switek as the Division's survellence in 1981.

Career In ViceEdit

Zito was paired with fellow Detective Stan Switek as a surveillance team, first working undercover on hot electronics merchandise, then working together doing electronic, audio, video, wiretap, and visual surveillance of potential suspects and/or targets, as well as using informants like Izzy Moreno and Noogie Lamont to help them track down "persons of interest". Using their "Bug Van" cover, they helped Valerie Gordon find her missing sister.

DeathEdit

Zito was involved in an undercover operation involving a boxer named Bobby Sykes trying to get information on a gambling ring run by a former drug runner named Guzman. Sykes was managed by a man named Moon, who knew Zito's real identity and worked closely with him to protect Sykes and help Zito  train. When Moon was killed by Guzman, Zito took over training and managing Sykes when one of Guzman's goons offered him $200K for Sykes' contract. Under direction of Crockett, Zito countered with $250K and "just a taste" of Guzman's gambling action. Guzman sent three of his goons over to the gym after Sykes last win and caught Zito alone, and they killed him by injecting his arm with an overdose of cocaine. Switek found his body shortly afterward.

Personal LifeEdit

Zito dated a woman named Darlene, who told him he would be Governor if he did what she told him. They broke up and she eventually hooked up with Switek. Zito's house blew up after a natural gas leak was ignited. He lost everything except his mailbox, which contained his gas bill. Zito has four sisters and a brother. The brother died of a drug overdose, which contributed to Zito's fear of needles. Zito also is a recovering alcoholic, attending A.A. meetings religiously, and staying sober since 1982. Zito also collected snowglobes and loved goldfish. His first goldfish perished in the explosion that destroyed his house and the Vice team gave him another, which he named "Harriet". After his death, her fate was never revealed.

VehiclesEdit

Zito always rode with Switek in either the Dodge Ram surveillance van or his partner's Ford Thunderbird, and did not appear to own a car of his own.

WeaponsEdit

Zito's main weapon was a Smith & Wesson 659 in 9mm Parabellum, which he used throughout the series. He was also seen firing an M16A1 in "Out Where the Buses Don't Run", and could also often be seen carrying a Mossberg 500 shotgun, both in standard and Bullpup configurations.