# Robert Harper (actor)

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.
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, and reading short stories by Tennessee Williams. A Chicago Tribune review called Harper "a slow-moving joy to behold as the seersucker-rumpled lawyer."
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.
He was later married to a Dutch woman, Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff, and died in Rotterdam.

## 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 1993 | The Wrong Man | Felix Crawley | Made-for-cable movie |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Harry's Doctor | |
| 1999 | Molly | Dr. Simmons | |
| 1999 | The Insider | Mark Stern | |

## Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1983 | 13 Thirteenth Avenue | Marv Hoberman | TV movie |
| 1983 | 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 |
| 1986 | Newhart | Mr. Lalow | Episode: "Saturday in New York with George" |
| 1987 | J. Edgar Hoover | Clyde Tolson | TV movie |
| 1987 | Stingray | Billy | Episode: "Echoes" |
| 1987 | Deadly Deception | Garrett | TV movie |
| 1987 | Murder Ordained | Warren | TV movie |
| 1987 | Not Quite Human | J.J. Derks | TV movie |
| 1987 | Knots Landing | Priest | Episode: "The Gift of Life" |
| 1987–1988 | Matlock | Walter Judd / Michael Palmer | 2 episodes |
| 1987–1988 | Frank's Place | Bubba 'Si' Weisberger | 22 episodes |
| 1988 | Outback Bound | Bennett | TV movie |
| 1988 | Murphy Brown | Henry Tucker | Episode: "Set Me Free" |
| 1989 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Charles Bird | Episode: "Words to Live By" |
| 1989 | Roseanne | Dr. Edgar Lang | 1 episode |
| 1989 | The Case of the Hillside Stranglers | Los Angeles Deputy D.A. Richard Carson | TV movie |
| 1989 | My Name Is Bill W. | Dr. Jeremy Partlin | TV movie |
| 1989 | Nick Knight | Dr. Jack Brittington | TV movie |
| 1989 | Jake and the Fatman | Paul Abbot | Episode: "The Way You Look Tonight" |
| 1989 | Wiseguy | Dewitt Clipton | 4 episodes |
| 1990 | Love and Lies | Clinton Posey | TV movie |
| 1990 | Babies | Sam Clarington | TV movie |
| 1991 | Held Hostage: The Sis and Jerry Levin Story | Moorehead | TV movie |
| 1991 | Gabriel's Fire | Doc Fulton | Episode: "One Flew Over the Bird's Nest" |
| 1991 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Lathal Bine | Episode: "The Host" (uncredited) |
| 1991 | Payoff | Benny Cowan | TV movie |
| 1992 | Room for Two | Timothy Sinowsky | Episode: "Psyched!" |
| 1992 | The Commish | Professor Gerald Hanick | Episode: "Video Vigilante" |
| 1992 | Murder, She Wrote | Paul Crenshaw | Episode: "Murder in Milan" |
| 1992 | 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" |
| 1995 | Picket Fences | | Episode: "A Change of Season" |
| 1995 | 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" |
| 1996 | 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" |
| 1998 | Any Day Now | | Episode: "Huh?" |
| 1998 | 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" |
| 2006 | Commander in Chief | Owen Latimer | Episode: "No Nukes Is Good Nukes" |