DALLAS -- Maybe it's the twinkle in his eye or his jolly voice, but when you meet Santa Larry, it's easy to believe.
"I just enjoy being Santa Claus," he said. "It brings a lot of joy to me."
Larry Jefferson calls North Texas home, but now he's known nationwide. He's just back from Mall of America in Minnesota, where he was the first-ever African American Santa at The Santa Experience attraction. He was chosen after a national search.
"We believe Santa's for everyone," said Landon Luther, who owns and operates The Santa Experience. "We want families to come in and visit with a Santa that they can closely relate to, and for children to visit Santa who looks like them."
He met hundreds of families, some who flew in from across the country just to see him.
In a flash, the story went viral. There was a clatter of comments -- most positive, but there were reports of some backlash.
Jefferson has a message for anyone who might think Santa can only be played by someone who's white.
"Get over it," he said. "I'm just Santa Claus. I'm just Larry, a person who's portraying a character to help lift their spirits during the holiday season."
This Santa happens to be an Army veteran, who retired in 2015 after a 30 year career. He first put on the Santa suit in 1999, along with a helper beard, to play Santa for his nephews.
"I saw a Santa suit at Walmart for $29.99, and I thought, 'I'm going to buy that suit and surprise them,'" said Jefferson.
But what quickly surprised Jefferson was the power the red suit had on him.
"Watching them light up with joy and excitement was incredible, and stuck with me forever," he said.
Now during the Holidays, he plays Santa full-time. He's upgraded his suit and has a very real beard, that he meticulously maintains.
Today, he got ready for a gig playing Santa at the Dallas office for Uber. Drivers were invited to come visit and take pictures with him during their holiday party, and he quickly charmed kids and grownups alike.
"Santa is a jolly spirit. But it's also what's in your heart," Jefferson said about the role. "I carry Christmas in my heart everyday."