Renowned Hollywood actor Ron Harper, famous for his roles in iconic films such as “Planet Of The Apes” and “Land Of The Lost,” has peacefully passed away at the age of 91.
The news of his demise was confirmed by his daughter Nicole Longeuay to Hollywood Reporter. Harper, a distinguished American actor, breathed his last due to natural causes at his residence in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Harper’s illustrious career spanned several decades, marked by significant achievements. He initially served in the U.S. Navy and later ventured into acting, starting as Paul Newman’s understudy in “Sweet Bird of Youth” on Broadway upon his return to New York City.
Transitioning to the realm of television, Harper made his mark with a 1960 role in NBC’s “Tales of Wells Fargo.” Subsequently, he landed roles in renowned shows like “Wagon Train,” “Shotgun Slade,” and “87th Precinct,” where he portrayed Det. Bert Kling across multiple episodes.
One of his notable roles was as Alan Virdon, an astronaut in the 1974 “Planet of the Apes” television series. Harper’s career also thrived in daytime dramas, with notable roles such as Taylor Holloway in “Another World” and Charles Hartman in “Loving.”
In 1990, he portrayed Peter Whitmore in “Generations” and appeared in other productions like “Pearl Harbor” and “The West Wing,” where he played a chairman.
Harper retired from acting nine years ago, concluding his acting journey with his last role in “Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story” (2015).
Born in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, on January 12, 1933, Harper was known for his intellect as a straight-A student who attended Princeton University. Despite being offered a chance to study at Harvard Law School, he chose to pursue acting, recalling in 1966, “I kept saying to myself, ‘Should you waste your good education being an actor?’ And that little voice within me kept saying things like, ‘What do you want to take that fellowship to Harvard Law for? Be an actor. Starving is fun.’”
Apart from his contributions to the entertainment industry, Harper will be remembered fondly by his family, including his daughter, son-in-law Daniel, granddaughters Ronnie and Harper, and ex-wife Shirley. His first wife was actress Sally Stark.
The passing of Ron Harper marks the end of an era in Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances and timeless contributions to the world of film and television.
