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David Rappaport : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (The Wizard)

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David Rappaport

Simon McKay in The Wizard

Photos David Rappaport Birth name: David Stephen Rappaport
Birth date: 1951/11/23
Date of death : 1990/05/02 (39 years old)
Birth place : Londres (Angleterre)
Height: 1.19 m

French Traduire

Biography for David Rappaport

Britisher David Rappaport earned more roles and respect than most guys his size (or ANY size for that matter) who attempted a professional acting career. Afflicted with dwarfism (he was 3' 11"), he was often typecast in bizarre, sometimes silly and demeaning roles; but, like others before him, including well-known actor Michael Dunn, he rose above it all and proved himself a talent to be reckoned with. He was born David Stephen Rappaport on November 23, 1951, in London and showed musical prowess at an early age. He learned how to play both the drums and the accordion, which helped him out financially during the lean years. He studied psychology at the University of Bristol in 1969 and graduated with a degree while developing a side interest in theatre, performing in plays and revues. Following graduation he married his college girlfriend, Jane, and had a son, Joe, the following year. He gave school teaching a try but left in 1977 to focus on his first love--acting. Returning to England, he built up his reputation on TV and developed celebrity status. He acted in and wrote for the program "Beyond the Groove" and performed in a couple of children's series to boot. Film showcases for David came unexpectedly with the scene-stealing role of Randall, the ringleader of a motley group of time-traveling thieves, in Time Bandits (1981), and in The Bride (1985) as Rinaldo, a little man who befriends a giant. American audiences got a good taste of David's charm and razor-sharp wit with the popular but short-lived series "The Wizard" (1986) as Simon, the inventor of odd and exciting toys who derived great pleasure out of being a good samaritan. He followed this with the attention-getting role of slick attorney Hamilton Skylar in a few episodes of "L.A. Law." However, personal unhappiness and acute depression set in during this time. On May 2, 1990, he took his own life, shooting himself in the chest with a .38 caliber revolver he had bought 15 days earlier. The 38-year-old actor was buried at the Waltham Abbey cemetery in England.

David Stephen Rappaport, son of Mark and Dinah Rappaport, was born on November 23, 1951 in London. From an early age, he learned to play the accordion and the battery, an instruments he will later play semi-professional, during his studies at the University of Bristol. He discovered the theater during this same period, by accompanying a troop of student actors, led to play professionally in London, on several occasions.

Once his psychology diploma has been obtained, he left for 6 months in the USA. In 1975, he married his girlfriend met in high school, Jane, with whom he gave birth to a son, Joe, a year later.

After a brief job as a teacher, he changes his professional orientation, in order to turn fully towards comedy.

David began his acting career with 2 English TV series for children, "Tiswas" and "Jigsaw".

Better known for his role in "The Magician", and his recurring character in "The Los Angeles Law", he ended his days on May 2, 1990.

David Rappaport was a British actor known for his roles in the films and television series of the 1980s and 1990s. He was born on November 23, 1951 in London, England, and grew up in the Hackney district. Rappaport was a very talented and versatile actor, capable of playing a wide variety of roles ranging from light comedies to dark dramas.

He started his acting career in the late 1970s by playing in plays and participating in varieties. He also worked as a stand-up actor and made some appearances in television shows. His first appearance on the screen dates back to 1981, when he played in an episode of the British television series "The Tomorrow People".

Over the years, Rappaport has continued to work in the world of cinema and television, playing in many popular films and television series. Among his best known roles, we can cite his interpretation of the lonely and eccentric dwarf Willow in the cult film "Willow" by Ron Howard, as well as his role as Russell as a recurring character in the television series "The Equalizer".

Unfortunately, Rappaport suffered from depression throughout his life and tried to end his life several times. Finally, he managed to end his days in May 1990, at the age of 38. His death aroused a great excitement in the world of cinema and television, and he is always considered one of the most talented actors of his generation.

Photos

Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8 Photos David Rappaport n_8

Filmography

Title Role
Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990) Serie TV (voice) MAL (1990)
Luigi's Ladies (1989) Luigi
Peter Gunn (1989) (TV) Speck
Le Magicien (1986) Serie TV Simon McKay
Bride, The (1985/I) Rinaldo the Midget
Unfair Exchanges (1984) (TV)
Monaco Franze - Der ewige Stenz (1983) Serie TV
Jigsaw (1982) Serie TV O-Man
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1982) Sage
Tiswas (1974) Serie TV Shades (1981-82)
Time Bandits (1981) Randall
Q5 (1969) Serie TV Little Dave (1980)
Cuba (1979) Jesus
Mysteries (1978) The Midget

Trivia

Nearly died whilst filming The Bride (1985/I), when the circus tent caught fire and David was left suspended by a rope in the 'Big Top'. The Special Effects man, who was outside the tent, couldn't hear all the shouting and kept David high in the air as the tent was burning around him. Finally he was let down. The large tent only took four minutes to be completely destroyed.

Died of gunshot wound to chest in apparent suicide in a San Fernando Valley park at age 39.

Was "Minister for Foreign Affairs" of the "People's Republic of Frestonia", a collection of squats in West London that declared independence from the UK in 1977 in order to gain publicity for their (successful) fight against eviction & demolition. [See Passport to Pimlico (1949)]

At the time of his death, he was preparing to guest star in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) episode, "The Most Toys."

Quotes

Pouvoir regarder dans les yeux d'un enfant à l'age de 30 ans est la chose la plus dingue que je connaisse !

J'ai voulu débuter ma carrière d'acteur au moment le plus critique de ma vie : j'avais une femme et un enfant ! Mais je me suis dit que se serait maintenant ou jamais, je me suis donc lancé

Family

Spouse : Jane (1975 - ?) (divorced) 1 child

Author of the card

  • Creation date: 01/07/2003 by stals

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