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Robert Harper (actor)

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Robert Harper
Harper in 1996
BornMay 19, 1951
New York City, New York, U.S.
Died (aged 68)
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
EducationRutgers
Years active1978–2006
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1981; div. 1984)​
Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff
​
​
(m. 2005)​

Robert Francis Harper (May 19, 1951 – January 23, 2020[1]) was an American stage, film, and television actor.

Early life

Raised 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

Following 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

On 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

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

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

  1. ^ a b c "ROBERT HARPER Obituary - New York, NY | New York Times". Legacy.com.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Harper Used to Being in Limbo". Edmonton Journal. 1988-07-15. p. 106. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  4. ^ Wils Fontaine, Hildy (1987-10-09). "Familiar Face Adorning TV on Mondays". The Daily Register. p. 7. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  5. ^ "Legitimate: Show On Broadway - The American Clock." Variety. Vol. 301, Iss. 4,  (Nov 26, 1980): 128. Via Proquest.
  6. ^ Hanauer, Joan (1988-08-02). "Robert Harper Excels at Lawyer Roles". The York Dispatch. p. 19. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  7. ^ a b "Harper Lands Lawyer Roles on CBS". Tyler Morning Telegraph. 1988-07-29. p. 49. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  8. ^ Garfinkel, Perry. "Frank's Place: the Taste and Spice of New Orleans." The Vancouver Sun; Vancouver, B.C. 04 Mar 1988: TV30. Via Proquest.
  9. ^ Terry, Clifford. "Frank's Place is Well Worth Stopping By." Chicago Tribune. 14 Sep 1987: 4. Via Proquest.
  10. ^ "Robert Harper Weds Lisa Pelikan, Actress." New York Times. 31 May 1981: 55 Via Proquest.
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