David W. Harper
David W. Harper | |
|---|---|
Harper at The Waltons 40th Anniversary in 2012. | |
| Born | October 4, 1961 Abilene, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1971–2011 |
David W. Harper (born October 4, 1961)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Jim-Bob Walton on the television show The Waltons.
Early life
Harper was born on October 4, 1961 in Abilene, Texas. He is the son of actor Paul Harper and Georglynn "Bunny" Scoggins Harper. He has an older sister Michelle.[2]
Acting career
Harper's early roles included a TV pilot with Ernest Borgnine, and an episode of The Man and the City.[2]
He appeared as Jim Bob, the second-youngest of seven siblings, in the made-for-television film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971). When the film was turned into The Waltons television series in 1972, Harper reprised his role and remained with the series throughout its nine-season run.[3]
When The Waltons ended in 1981, Harper appeared in the television miniseries The Blue and the Gray as a Union soldier,[4] and was seen in the theatrical films Fletch and 3:15.[5] Harper returned to his role as Jim-Bob in the Waltons made-for-television movies.[6]
Later life
Harper is not currently active in show business, choosing to live a quiet, private life; however, he does occasionally appear at such Waltons-related functions, such as cast reunions, collectible and memorabilia fairs.[7] In 1992 Harper attended the opening of the Walton's Mountain Museum in Schuyler, Virginia. At that time he was working as a scenic painter in Los Angeles .[8]
After working at a variety of jobs, including at the messenger service run by his Walton "brother" Eric Scott, he returned to school to study business.[7]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The Homecoming: A Christmas Story | Jim-Bob Walton | TV movie |
| 1972-1981 | The Waltons | TV series, 212 episodes | |
| 1977 | Walking Tall: Final Chapter | Judd, driver of the sheriff's stolen car | Uncredited |
| 1982 | The Blue and the Gray | James Hale | TV miniseries, three episodes |
| 1982 | A Wedding on Walton's Mountain | Jim Bob Walton | TV movie |
| 1982 | Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain | ||
| 1982 | A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain | ||
| 1985 | Fletch | Teenager | |
| 1986 | 3:15 | Pay-off guy | |
| 1993 | A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion | Jim Bob Walton | TV movie |
| 1995 | A Walton Wedding | ||
| 1997 | A Walton Easter |
References
- ^ "Almanac: Today's Birthdays". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. October 4, 2023. p. A13. ProQuest 2872458778.
Actor Armand Assante is 74. Actor Christoph Waltz is 67. Actor Bill Fagerbakke is 66. Music producer Russell Simmons is 66. Actor-singer Wendy Makkena is 65. Musician Chris Lowe (The Pet Shop Boys) is 64. Country musician Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard (Sawyer Brown) is 63. Actor David W. Harper is 62. Singer Jon Secada is 62. TV personality John Melendez is 58. Actor-comedian Jerry Minor is 56. Actor Liev Schreiber is 56.
See also: - ^ a b Mailbag, The Kansas City Star, June 19, 1977, page 113
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 1150. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- ^ McCalister, Nancy, Pa Walton Makes Fresh Start, Jacksonville Journal, November 18, 1982, page 33
- ^ Jim-Bob, American Profile, February 9, 2008, page 12
- ^ Bobbin, Jay, 'Homecoming' is back again, Star Tribune (Minneapolis MN), December 20, 1987, page 222
- ^ a b Garver, Kathy; Ascher, Fred (2016). X Child Stars: Where Are They Now?. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 177. ISBN 9781630761141. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ Back to Walton's Mountain, People, November 9, 1992, pages 63-64