Robert Harper (actor)

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]

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]

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 he died in Rotterdam.^[1]