Found his late wife, actress Roberta Collins, dead in bed after she took an overdose of pills.
Died the day after attending the 40th Anniversary screening of The Wild Bunch (1969)in Los Angeles, where he was able to see his remaining cast-mates from the film, such as Ernest Borgnine, L.Q. Jones and Bo Hopkins, as well as see fans and old friends.
Graduate of Abilene High School, Abilene, Texas in 1952.
Father of actor David W. Harper, who played Jim-Bob Walton on The Waltons.
Graduate of The University of Texas at Austin - BFA '58