Robert Francis Harper (May 19, 1951 – January 23, 2020[1]) was an American stage, film, and television actor.
Robert Harper | |
|---|---|
 Harper in 1996 | |
| Born | May 19, 1951 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 68) Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands |
| Education | Rutgers |
| Years active | 1978–2006 |
| Spouses | |
Early life
editRaised in Middletown Township, New Jersey, he attended Mater Dei High School.[2] He graduated with honors from Rutgers University with a degree in English literature.[3]
Career
editFollowing his college graduation, Harper took a job at Arena Stage, where he performed in plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Miller, and Wilder.[4]
He appeared on Broadway in a revival of Once in a Lifetime (directed by Tom Moore), The Inspector General, and the original cast of Arthur Miller's The American Clock.[5]
Harper was perhaps most well known for his role as Sharkey in Once Upon a Time in America. He also portrayed Charlie Gereson in Creepshow.[6] Other film credits include Wiseguy, Final Analysis, The Insider, Deconstructing Harry, and Molly.
Harper played lawyers on several occasions and said he had an interest in the law.[7] He played Bubba Weisberger on the 1987-1988 sitcom Frank's Place. Harper's immersion into the character included spending a month at Tulane University Law School, carrying a novel by Southern writer Walker Percy while on the set,[8] and reading short stories by Tennessee Williams.[7] A Chicago Tribune review called Harper "a slow-moving joy to behold as the seersucker-rumpled lawyer."[9]
In May 2007, Harper delivered the Commencement Address at University College, Rutgers.[1]
Personal life and death
editOn May 30, 1981, he married Lisa Pelikan, an actress.[10]
He was later married to a Dutch woman, Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff, and died in Rotterdam.[1]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Mommie Dearest | David | |
| 1982 | Creepshow | Charlie Gereson | (Segment: "The Crate") |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Sharkey | |
| 1987 | Wanted: Dead or Alive | Dave Henderson | |
| Amazing Grace and Chuck | Bowman | ||
| 1988 | Twins | Gilbert Larsen | |
| 1989 | The War of the Roses | Heath | |
| 1992 | Final Analysis | Alan Lowenthal | |
| 1993 | Gunmen | Rance | |
| The Wrong Man | Felix Crawley | Made-for-cable movie | |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Harry's Doctor | |
| 1999 | Molly | Dr. Simmons | |
| The Insider | Mark Stern |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 13 Thirteenth Avenue | Marv Hoberman | TV movie |
| Dempsey | Damon Runyon | TV movie | |
| 1984 | Remington Steele | Todd Doke | Episode: "Dreams of Steele" |
| 1985 | Dallas | Emergency Doctor | Episode: "Close Encounters" |
| 1986 | Kung Fu: The Movie | Prosecutor | TV movie |
| Newhart | Mr. Lalow | Episode: "Saturday in New York with George" | |
| 1987 | J. Edgar Hoover | Clyde Tolson | TV movie |
| Stingray | Billy | Episode: "Echoes" | |
| Deadly Deception | Garrett | TV movie | |
| Murder Ordained | Warren | TV movie | |
| Not Quite Human | J.J. Derks | TV movie | |
| Knots Landing | Priest | Episode: "The Gift of Life" | |
| 1987–1988 | Matlock | Walter Judd / Michael Palmer | 2 episodes |
| Frank's Place | Bubba 'Si' Weisberger | 22 episodes | |
| 1988 | Outback Bound | Bennett | TV movie |
| Murphy Brown | Henry Tucker | Episode: "Set Me Free" | |
| 1989 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Charles Bird | Episode: "Words to Live By" |
| Roseanne | Dr. Edgar Lang | 1 episode | |
| The Case of the Hillside Stranglers | Los Angeles Deputy D.A. Richard Carson | TV movie | |
| My Name Is Bill W. | Dr. Jeremy Partlin | TV movie | |
| Nick Knight | Dr. Jack Brittington | TV movie | |
| Jake and the Fatman | Paul Abbot | Episode: "The Way You Look Tonight" | |
| Wiseguy | Dewitt Clipton | 4 episodes | |
| 1990 | Love and Lies | Clinton Posey | TV movie |
| Babies | Sam Clarington | TV movie | |
| 1991 | Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin Story | Moorehead | TV movie |
| Gabriel's Fire | Doc Fulton | Episode: "One Flew Over the Bird's Nest" | |
| Star Trek: The Next Generation | Lathal Bine | Episode: "The Host" (uncredited) | |
| Payoff | Benny Cowan | TV movie | |
| 1992 | Room for Two | Timothy Sinowsky | Episode: "Psyched!" |
| The Commish | Professor Gerald Hanick | Episode: "Video Vigilante" | |
| Murder, She Wrote | Paul Crenshaw | Episode: "Murder in Milan" | |
| Running Mates | Gordy Faust | TV movie | |
| 1989–1993 | L.A. Law | Brian LaPorte | 4 episodes |
| 1993 | Love & War | Dr. Gilroy | Episode: "I Got Plenty of Nothing" |
| 1995 | The Cosby Mysteries | Episode: "Dial 'H' for Murder" | |
| Picket Fences | Episode: "A Change of Season" | ||
| The Home Court | Father Jablonski | Episode: "The Sydney That Works" | |
| 1996 | Bless This House | Thad | Episode: "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Stereo" |
| The Siege at Ruby Ridge | Earl Martens | TV movie | |
| 1997 | NYPD Blue | Terry Tirelli | Episode: "Three Girls and a Baby" |
| 1998 | Michael Hayes | Bomber | Episode: "Imagine: Part 1" |
| Any Day Now | Episode: "Huh?" | ||
| Law & Order | John St. John | Episode: "True North" | |
| 2001–2002 | Philly | Judge Irwin Hawes | 13 episodes |
| 2006 | Gilmore Girls | Dr. Shapiro | Episode: "The Perfect Dress" |
| Commander in Chief | Owen Latimer | Episode: "No Nukes Is Good Nukes" |
References
edit- ^ a b c "ROBERT HARPER Obituary - New York, NY | New York Times". Legacy.com.
- ^ Patrick, Wally (1987-10-19). "Former Middletown Resident Finds He Likes Life at Frank's Place". Asbury Park Press. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ "Harper Used to Being in Limbo". Edmonton Journal. 1988-07-15. p. 106. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ Wils Fontaine, Hildy (1987-10-09). "Familiar Face Adorning TV on Mondays". The Daily Register. p. 7. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ "Legitimate: Show On Broadway - The American Clock." Variety. Vol. 301, Iss. 4, (Nov 26, 1980): 128. Via Proquest.
- ^ Hanauer, Joan (1988-08-02). "Robert Harper Excels at Lawyer Roles". The York Dispatch. p. 19. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ a b "Harper Lands Lawyer Roles on CBS". Tyler Morning Telegraph. 1988-07-29. p. 49. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ Garfinkel, Perry. "Frank's Place: the Taste and Spice of New Orleans." The Vancouver Sun; Vancouver, B.C. 04 Mar 1988: TV30. Via Proquest.
- ^ Terry, Clifford. "Frank's Place is Well Worth Stopping By." Chicago Tribune. 14 Sep 1987: 4. Via Proquest.
- ^ "Robert Harper Weds Lisa Pelikan, Actress." New York Times. 31 May 1981: 55 Via Proquest.