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

Life and career

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

Television series