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 British actor David Rappaport earned more roles and respect than most guys his size (or any size for that matter) who attempted a professional acting career. Born with the genetic condition dwarfism (he was 3' 11"), he was often typecast in bizarre, sometimes silly and demeaning roles; but, like others before (Michael Dunn) and after (Peter Dinklage), he rose to the challenge and proved himself a talent to be reckoned with.He was born David Stephen Rappaport on November 23, 1951, to a London Jewish family 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 and 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 person who befriends a giant. American audiences were given a good taste of David's charm, intelligence and razor-sharp wit with the popular but short-lived series, The Wizard (1986), as "Simon McKay", 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 (1986).Despite his successful professional career, David was beset by personal unhappiness and acute depression. He was booked to play the darkly comic role of Zibalian trader Kivas Fajo on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (episode "The Most Toys," subsequently played by gifted Canadian actor Saul Rubinek). However, on May 2, 1990, Rappaport's third suicide attempt was successful, as he shot 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.
Bio:
British actor David Rappaport earned more roles and respect than most guys his size (or any size for that matter) who attempted a professional acting career. Born with the genetic condition dwarfism (he was 3' 11"), he was often typecast in bizarre, sometimes silly and demeaning roles; but, like others before (Michael Dunn) and after (Peter Dinklage), he rose to the challenge and proved himself a talent to be reckoned with.He was born David Stephen Rappaport on November 23, 1951, to a London Jewish family 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 and 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 person who befriends a giant. American audiences were given a good taste of David's charm, intelligence and razor-sharp wit with the popular but short-lived series, The Wizard (1986), as "Simon McKay", 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 (1986).Despite his successful professional career, David was beset by personal unhappiness and acute depression. He was booked to play the darkly comic role of Zibalian trader Kivas Fajo on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (episode "The Most Toys," subsequently played by gifted Canadian actor Saul Rubinek). However, on May 2, 1990, Rappaport's third suicide attempt was successful, as he shot 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.
Tivia:
His death and that of Jack Purvis were the main reasons why Terry Gilliam decided to the shelve the intended sequel to Time Bandits (1981) as their characters were two of the most heavily featured in the film.Died of gunshot wound to chest in apparent suicide in a San Fernando Valley park at age 38.Nearly died whilst filming The Bride (1985), 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.Was cast in a guest role in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) episode, The Most Toys (1990). After a few days of filming, Rappaport attempted suicide over the weekend, and his role was promptly recast with Saul Rubinek. Rapport later committed suicide, five days before the episode first aired.Was a guest presenter on Children's ITV in October 1983.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)]Was the son of a taxi driver.Same height as Herv�� Villechaize, who also died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot. |
| Name: |
David Rappaport |
Type: |
Actor,Writer,Soundtrack (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Writer,Soundtrack |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Writer,Soundtrack |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 08:44:44 |
| Height: |
3' 11' (1.19 m) |
| Biography: |
British actor David Rappaport earned more roles and respect than most guys his size (or any size for that matter) who attempted a professional acting career. Born with the genetic condition dwarfism (he was 3\' 11\"), he was often typecast in bizarre |
| Trivia: |
His death and that of Jack Purvis were the main reasons why Terry Gilliam decided to the shelve the intended sequel to Time Bandits (1981) as their characters were two of the most heavily featured in the film.Died of gunshot wound to chest in apparent suicide in a San Fernando Valley park at age 38.Nearly died whilst filming The Bride (1985), 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.Was cast in a guest role in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) episode, The Most Toys (1990). After a few days of filming, Rappaport attempted suicide over the weekend, and his role was promptly recast with Saul Rubinek. Rapport later committed suicide, five days before the episode first aired.Was a guest presenter on Children's ITV in October 1983.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)]Was the son of a taxi driver.Same height as Herv�� Villechaize, who also died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot. |
| Quotes: |
"Remember, follow your heart, and you'll be fine. Follow your dream; it's the key to everything." - David in The Bride (1985).
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It is the most amazing thing in the world to be 30 and look into the eyes of a child. |
| Job title: |
Actor,Writer,Soundtrack |
| Others works: |
Acted in a stage production of "Illuminatus".
Acted in a stage production of "Volpone" at the National Theatre in Britain. |
| Spouse: |
Jane Whitehead (1975 - ?) (divorced, 1 child) |
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