Born in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania--a small town just east of Pittsburgh--Ron Harper became valedictorian of his senior class and won an academic scholarship to Princeton University, where he supplemented his academic studies by appearing in a number of plays and musical comedies. He earned a fellowship to study law at Harvard, but the "acting bug" lured him instead to New York, where he studied with 'Lee Strasberg'. Next came a stint in the US Navy (mostly spent in Panama), followed by a return to New York. After several disappointments. he earned a job as
Paul Newman's understudy in "Sweet Bird of Youth". Hollywood soon beckoned, and Harper appeared in a succession of TV series:
87th Precinct (1961),
The Jean Arthur Show (1966),
Wendy and Me (1964),
Garrison's Gorillas (1967) and
Planet of the Apes (1974).
Following "Apes", he had roles in several soap-operas and guest-starred on various TV shows. He now lives in California.
Kidnapped: The Hannah Anderson Story(2015)as Ralph
Drink(2014)as Gray
Whoa!(2013)as George
American Bandits: Frank and Jesse James(2010)as Doc
Uncorked(2009)as Reverend Whitting
Altered States of Plaine(2012)
Recorded Live(2010)as Self
Bicentennial Minutes(1974)as Self - Narrator
The Woody Woodbury Show(1967)as Self
Stu's Show(2006)
Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes(1980)as Alan Virdon
Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes(1980)as Alan Virdon
Farewell to the Planet of the Apes(1980)as Alan Virdon
