David W. Harper (born October 4, 1961) See also: 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.Mailbag, The Kansas City Star, June 19, 1977, page 113
Acting career Harper's early roles included a TV pilot with Ernest Borgnine, and an episode of The Man and the City.
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.
When The Waltons ended in 1981, Harper appeared in the television miniseries The Blue and the Gray as a Union soldier,McCalister, Nancy, Pa Walton Makes Fresh Start, Jacksonville Journal, November 18, 1982, page 33 and was seen in the theatrical films Fletch and 3:15.Jim-Bob, American Profile, February 9, 2008, page 12 Harper returned to his role as Jim-Bob in the Waltons made-for-television movies.Bobbin, Jay, 'Homecoming' is back again, Star Tribune (Minneapolis MN), December 20, 1987, page 222
Later life Harper is not currently active in show business, choosing to live a quiet, private life. He does, however, occasionally appear at Waltons-related functions, such as cast reunions and collectibles and memorabilia fairs. 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 .Back to Walton's Mountain, People, November 9, 1992, pages 63-64
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.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1977 Walking Tall: Final Chapter Judd, driver of the sheriff's stolen car Uncredited1985 Fletch Teenager 1986 3:15 The Moment of Truth Pay-off guy
Television Year Title Role Notes1971 The Homecoming: A Christmas Story Jim-Bob Walton TV movie1972–1981 The Waltons TV series, 212 episodes1980 The Waltons: A Decade of the Waltons Jim-Bob Walton / Himself TV special1982 The Blue and the Gray James Hale TV miniseries, three episodes1982 A Wedding on Walton's Mountain Jim Bob Walton TV movie 1982 Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain1982 A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion 1995 A Walton Wedding1997 A Walton Easter
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