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] Harper 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
    1981Mommie DearestDavid
    1982CreepshowCharlie Gereson(Segment: "The Crate")
    1984Once Upon a Time in AmericaSharkey
    1987Wanted: Dead or AliveDave Henderson
    Amazing Grace and ChuckBowman
    1988TwinsGilbert Larsen
    1989The War of the RosesHeath
    1992Final AnalysisAlan Lowenthal
    1993GunmenRance
    The Wrong ManFelix CrawleyMade-for-cable movie
    1997Deconstructing HarryHarry's Doctor
    1999MollyDr. Simmons
    The InsiderMark Stern

    Television

    Year Title Role Notes
    198313 Thirteenth AvenueMarv HobermanTV movie
    DempseyDamon RunyonTV movie
    1984Remington SteeleTodd DokeEpisode: "Dreams of Steele"
    1985DallasEmergency DoctorEpisode: "Close Encounters"
    1986Kung Fu: The MovieProsecutorTV movie
    NewhartMr. LalowEpisode: "Saturday in New York with George"
    1987J. Edgar HooverClyde TolsonTV movie
    StingrayBillyEpisode: "Echoes"
    Deadly DeceptionGarrettTV movie
    Murder OrdainedWarrenTV movie
    Not Quite HumanJ.J. DerksTV movie
    Knots LandingPriestEpisode: "The Gift of Life"
    1987–1988MatlockWalter Judd / Michael Palmer2 episodes
    Frank's PlaceBubba 'Si' Weisberger22 episodes
    1988Outback BoundBennettTV movie
    Murphy BrownHenry TuckerEpisode: "Set Me Free"
    1989CBS Schoolbreak SpecialCharles BirdEpisode: "Words to Live By"
    RoseanneDr. Edgar Lang1 episode
    The Case of the Hillside StranglersLos Angeles Deputy D.A. Richard CarsonTV movie
    My Name Is Bill W.Dr. Jeremy PartlinTV movie
    Nick KnightDr. Jack BrittingtonTV movie
    Jake and the FatmanPaul AbbotEpisode: "The Way You Look Tonight"
    WiseguyDewitt Clipton4 episodes
    1990Love and LiesClinton PoseyTV movie
    BabiesSam ClaringtonTV movie
    1991Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin StoryMooreheadTV movie
    Gabriel's FireDoc FultonEpisode: "One Flew Over the Bird's Nest"
    Star Trek: The Next GenerationLathal BineEpisode: "The Host" (uncredited)
    PayoffBenny CowanTV movie
    1992Room for TwoTimothy SinowskyEpisode: "Psyched!"
    The CommishProfessor Gerald HanickEpisode: "Video Vigilante"
    Murder, She WrotePaul CrenshawEpisode: "Murder in Milan"
    Running MatesGordy FaustTV movie
    1989–1993L.A. LawBrian LaPorte4 episodes
    1993Love & WarDr. GilroyEpisode: "I Got Plenty of Nothing"
    1995The Cosby MysteriesEpisode: "Dial 'H' for Murder"
    Picket FencesEpisode: "A Change of Season"
    The Home CourtFather JablonskiEpisode: "The Sydney That Works"
    1996Bless This HouseThadEpisode: "One Man's Ceiling Is Another Man's Stereo"
    The Siege at Ruby RidgeEarl MartensTV movie
    1997NYPD BlueTerry TirelliEpisode: "Three Girls and a Baby"
    1998Michael HayesBomberEpisode: "Imagine: Part 1"
    Any Day NowEpisode: "Huh?"
    Law & OrderJohn St. JohnEpisode: "True North"
    2001–2002PhillyJudge Irwin Hawes13 episodes
    2006Gilmore GirlsDr. ShapiroEpisode: "The Perfect Dress"
    Commander in ChiefOwen LatimerEpisode: "No Nukes Is Good Nukes"

    References

    1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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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