David W. Harper

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.

David W. Harper
Harper at The Waltons 40th Anniversary in 2012.
Born	(1961-10-04) October 4, 1961 (age 63) Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1971–2011

Biography

Harper began his acting career appearing 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.^[2]

When The Waltons ended in 1981, Harper appeared in the television miniseries The Blue and the Gray and the theatrical film Fletch. And along with most of the other series regulars, Harper appeared in various Waltons reunion specials produced in the 1980s and 1990s.

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 as cast reunions, collectible and memorabilia fairs. After working at a variety of jobs, he went to school to study business.^[3]

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	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