Ron Harper, a legendary actor with a career spanning over six decades in TV, passed away on March 21 at the age of 91 in West Hills, CA due to natural causes. His daughter, Nicole Longeuay, confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Pennsylvania, Harper studied at Princeton before serving in the U.S. Navy. He later moved to New York City to work as Paul Newman’s understudy in Sweet Bird of Youth on Broadway. Harper relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a television career and quickly found success with roles on NBC’s Tales of Wells Fargo in 1960.
Over the years, he appeared on shows such as Wagon Train, Shotgun Slade, and 87th Precinct, where he played Det. Bert Kling in multiple episodes. He also had regular roles on Garrison’s Gorillas, Where the Heart Is, and Planet of the Apes. Harper was successful not only on TV but also in daytime dramas like Another World, Loving and Generations.
Harper’s recent credits included roles in Pearl Harbor and The West Wing. He leaves behind a legacy in the entertainment industry that will be remembered for years to come as a true veteran actor who inspired many young actors with his talent and dedication to his craft.
