Robert Harper (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Harper
Harper in 1996
Born	May 19, 1951 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	January 23, 2020 (aged 68) Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Education	Rutgers
Years active	1978–2006
Spouse(s)	Lisa Pelikan ​ ​ (m. 1981; div. 1984)​ Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff ​ (m. 2005)​

Robert Francis Harper (born May 19, 1951 – died January 23, 2020) was an American actor. He was well-known for his work in plays, movies, and television shows.

Growing Up

Robert Harper grew up in Middletown Township, New Jersey. He went to Mater Dei High School. After high school, he studied at Rutgers University. He earned a degree in English literature with high honors.

Acting Career

After college, Robert Harper started working at Arena Stage. There, he acted in plays by famous writers. These included Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Miller.

On Broadway

Harper also performed on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. He appeared in plays like Once in a Lifetime and The Inspector General. He was also in the first cast of Arthur Miller's play, The American Clock.

Movie and TV Roles

Robert Harper was perhaps best known for playing Sharkey in the movie Once Upon a Time in America. He also played Charlie Gereson in the film Creepshow. Other movies he was in include Final Analysis and The Insider.

He often played lawyers in his roles. He even said he was interested in law himself! Harper played Bubba Weisberger in the TV show Frank's Place. To prepare for this role, he spent time at a law school. He also read books by Southern writers to understand his character better.

In May 2007, Robert Harper gave a speech at Rutgers University. This was for the graduation ceremony of University College.

Personal Life

On May 30, 1981, Robert Harper married actress Lisa Pelikan. Later, he married Sascha Noorthoorn van der Kruyff, who was from the Netherlands. He passed away in Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands.

Movies He Was In

TV Shows He Was In