Robert Francis Harper (May 19, 1951 – January 23, 2020) was an American stage, film, and television actor.
Early life Raised in Middletown Township, New Jersey, he attended Mater Dei High School. He graduated with honors from Rutgers University with a degree in English literature.
Career Following his college graduation, Harper took a job at Arena Stage, where he performed in plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, Miller, and Wilder.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."Legitimate: Show On Broadway – The American Clock." Variety. Vol. 301, Iss. 4, (Nov 26, 1980): 128.
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. 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. 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,Garfinkel, Perry. "Frank's Place: the Taste and Spice of New Orleans." The Vancouver Sun; Vancouver, B.C. 04 Mar 1988: TV30. and reading short stories by Tennessee Williams. A Chicago Tribune review called Harper "a slow-moving joy to behold as the seersucker-rumpled lawyer."Terry, Clifford. "Frank's Place is Well Worth Stopping By." Chicago Tribune. 14 Sep 1987: 4.
In May 2007, Harper delivered the Commencement Address at University College, Rutgers.
Personal life and death On May 30, 1981, he married Lisa Pelikan, an actress."Robert Harper Weds Lisa Pelikan, Actress." New York Times. 31 May 1981: 55
He was later married to a Dutch woman, Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff, and he died in Rotterdam.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes1981 Mommie Dearest David 1982 Creepshow Charlie Gereson (Segment: "The Crate")1984 Once Upon a Time in America Sharkey 1986 Wanted: Dead or Alive Dave Henderson 1987 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 movie1997 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 movie1984 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 movie1989–1993 L.A. Law Brian LaPorte 4 episodes1993 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 movie1997 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"
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