Ron Harper (actor)

Ron Harper
Harper c. 2007
Born	(1933-01-12)January 12, 1933 Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	March 21, 2024(2024-03-21) (aged 91) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Princeton University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1955–2015
Spouse(s)	Sally Stark (m. 1974, div.) Shirley Ruse (m. 19??, div.)
Children	1

Ronald Robert Harper (January 12, 1933 – March 21, 2024) was an American television and film actor.^[1][2]

Life and career

Ronald Robert Harper was born in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.^[3] After earning straight A's at Turtle Creek High School, he went to Princeton University, where he was a member of the University Players.^[3] He was offered a fellowship to study law at Harvard but chose instead to study acting under Lee Strasberg.^[4]

After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Harper returned to New York. After several disappointments, he earned a job as Paul Newman's understudy in the Broadway play Sweet Bird of Youth in 1959.^[5] Relocating to Hollywood, his first role was in 1960 for the NBC television series Tales of Wells Fargo. Steady television guest appearances followed, including a role on NBC's series The Tall Man. In December 1960, he appeared in the episode "Duel at Parkison Town" of NBC's Laramie, and three years later in its episode "Edge of Evil". Also, in December 1960, he appeared in Wagon Train (S4, Ep12, The River Crossing).

Harper appeared in soap operas, including CBS's series Where the Heart Is and Love of Life. He appeared as a regular performer for several television series, including Planet of the Apes, and as Uncle Jack for the third season of Land of the Lost. His movie credits included roles in Below Utopia (1997), The Odd Couple II (1998), Freedom Strike (1998), Glass Trap (2005) and The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007).

Harper died at his home in West Hills, Los Angeles on March 21, 2024, at the age of 91.^[6]

Television series

Back row, L-R James Naughton and Roddy McDowell; front: Ron Harper, in Planet of the Apes (TV series, 1974)

• 87th Precinct (1961–1962), a police drama with Robert Lansing
• Wendy and Me (1964–1965), as Jeff Conway, a comedy with George Burns, Connie Stevens, J. Pat O'Malley, and James T. Callahan.
• The Jean Arthur Show (1966), a comedy, as Paul Marshall, the son of fictitious attorney Patricia Marshall, played by Jean Arthur.
• Garrison's Gorillas (1967–1968), a World War II drama series.
• Planet of the Apes (1974) as Alan Virdon, one of the astronauts.
• Land of the Lost (third season, 1976) as Uncle Jack Marshall.
• Loving a soap opera, as Charles Hartman (1988).
• Capitol a soap opera, as Jarret Morgan/Baxter Mccandless.
• Generations, a soap opera, as Peter Whitmore (1990–1991).

References

1. Kazlauskas, Jasmine (26 March 2024). "Beloved Hollywood star from Planet of the Apes dead at 91". news.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
2. Barnes, Mike (25 March 2024). "Ron Harper, 'Land of the Lost' and 'Planet of the Apes' Actor, Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
3. Freeman, Donald (July 8, 1966). "New Lawyer Series Shaping Up". The Shreveport Journal. Copley News Service. p. 44. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Appleton, Jerry (March 1, 1975). "Checking Your TVQ". Montreal Gazette. p. TV Times-2. Retrieved December 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Ron Harper Dies: ‘Generations,’ ‘Another World’ & ‘Planet of the Apes’ Actor Was 91 Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
6. Barnes, Mike (25 March 2024). "Ron Harper, 'Land of the Lost' and 'Planet of the Apes' Actor, Dies at 91". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

External links

• Ron Harper at IMDb 
• Ron Harper at the TCM Movie Database
• Ron Harper at the Internet Broadway Database
• Garrison's Gorillas website
• Interview with Ron Harper, classicfilmtvcafe.com
• Ron Harper(Aveleyman)
• Facebook page (official)