Larry Melvin Speakes (September 13, 1939 – January 10, 2014) was an American journalist and government spokesperson best known for serving as White House Press Secretary under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1987. Born in Tylertown, Mississippi, Speakes grew up in the rural South, which influenced his straightforward, folksy communication style. He began his career in journalism after graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in journalism in 1961, working as a reporter and editor for newspapers in Mississippi and Texas before transitioning into public relations and government communications. His entry into the White House came during a pivotal moment: following the assassination attempt on President Reagan on March 30, 1981, which left Press Secretary James Brady permanently disabled, Speakes stepped in as acting press secretary and later became the principal deputy press secretary.

During his tenure, Speakes managed the administration's media relations amid major events, including the 1983 invasion of Grenada, the 1986 bombing of Libya, and the Iran-Contra scandal. He was notably involved in the initial denials of arms sales to Iran, which later became a focal point of controversy. Speakes' briefings were characterized by his Southern drawl and occasional humor, earning him respect among the White House press corps despite the high-pressure environment. After leaving the administration in 1987, he joined the investment firm Merrill Lynch as a senior vice president for communications and later authored a memoir, 'Speaking Out: The Reagan Presidency from Inside the White House' (1988), offering insights into the inner workings of the Reagan White House.

Speakes retired to Virginia and lived a relatively private life thereafter. He passed away on January 10, 2014, in Bethesda, Maryland, at the age of 74, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. His career exemplified the transition from journalism to high-level political communication, leaving a legacy as a key figure in Reagan-era media management.