David Rappaport

David Stephen Rappaport (23 November 1951 – 2 May 1990) was an English actor with achondroplasia (a genetic disorder where the primary feature is dwarfism). He appeared in the films ''Time Bandits'' and '' The Bride'', and television series ''L.A. Law'', '' The Wizard'' and '' Captain Planet and the Planeteers''. He was in height.

Early life

Rappaport was born to Jewish taxi driver Mark and his wife Diana (née Schneiderman) in London. He was born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism. As a child, he developed talents in playing the accordion and drums, the latter of which he played professionally during his life. Rappaport studied psychology at the University of Bristol from 1970, graduating with a degree while developing his skills as a semi-professional drummer, and acting skills at the college dramatical society.

After six months in the United States, he returned to the United Kingdom to marry his college girlfriend Jane. They had a son, Joe, and Rappaport tried to settle down to family life as a teacher. But, as his marriage broke down and he decided to follow a career as an actor, he became a resident of the squatter "nation" of Frestonia, acting as Foreign Minister under the name David Rappaport-Bramley – all inhabitants adopted the surname Bramley, so that, if the Greater London Council were to succeed in an eviction, they would have to rehouse them as one family.

Career

David Rappaport first came to public notice in children's television, appearing alongside Sylvester McCoy as an O-Man in the 1979 BBC children's series '' Jigsaw''. Rappaport and McCoy had previously appeared together in ''Illuminatus!'' at the Science Fiction Theatre of Liverpool (founded by Ken Campbell and Chris Langham in 1976). The two men also appeared in the anarchic ''Ken Campbell Road Show''. Rappaport was with the ''Road Show'' in 1979 when it featured in '' The Secret Policeman's Ball''. While McCoy appeared as an escapologist, Campbell introduced Rappaport to the audience as: "Not the smallest man in the world, but fucking close...". He appeared in some season one sketches of ''Not the Nine O'Clock News''.

In the early 1980s Rappaport played the character Shades on the anarchic Saturday-morning kids' TV shows '' Tiswas'' and ''The Saturday Show''. One of Rappaport's most popular roles was as Randall, the leader of the gang of dwarves in the Terry Gilliam film ''Time Bandits'' in 1981. During the mid-80s, Rappaport played in the HTV production of '' Robin of Sherwood'' (released as ''Robin Hood'' in the US) with Jason Connery as Robin. The show was filmed in Bristol, where Rappaport had a home. During this time, he also made himself at home aboard Ki Longfellow-Stanshall and Vivian Stanshall's ship moored in Bristol docks, the Old Profanity Showboat, where he often appeared on stage. Rappaport appeared in 1985's '' The Bride'' as a circus dwarf who befriends Frankenstein's monster (played by Clancy Brown). In 1986, Rappaport appeared on the 1985–1987 NBC TV Series ''Amazing Stories'' in an episode called "Gather Ye Acorns" (starring Mark Hamill of ''Star Wars'' fame). From 1986 to 1987, Rappaport played the lead role of Simon McKay in the CBS television series '' The Wizard''. Rappaport also made guest appearances on such shows as ''The Goodies'', '' The Young Ones'', and ''L.A. Law''.

In ''L.A. Law'', Rappaport played crack trial lawyer Hamilton Schuyler in two episodes. Both episodes were significant roles, opposing Jimmy Smits. The second of these, "The Mouse that Roared", was filmed only six months prior to his death. Though the Schuyler character was frequently described as "from Texas", Rappaport made no attempt to hide his British accent, which was never explained within the show.

Rappaport was the voice of Dr. Blight's computer, MAL, on '' Captain Planet and the Planeteers''; he was replaced by Tim Curry after his first four appearances due to his death four months before the series aired. He also played Mr. Belvedere's cousin on an episode of ''Mr. Belvedere'' entitled "Duel" (Season 5 Episode 6).

Final years, death and legacy

Rappaport struggled with depression later in his life. Just before his death, he had been cast and begun filming for the role of Kivas Fajo in the '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' episode " The Most Toys". During filming, Rappaport attempted suicide, and the scenes he had completed were later discarded when actor Saul Rubinek was hurriedly brought in by producers to replace him and complete the episode. The scenes of Rappaport as Kivas Fajo were included on the Season 3 Blu-ray Disc release of ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.

Rappaport died by suicide on 2 May 1990. He shot himself in the chest in Laurel Canyon Park in the San Fernando Valley in California.

Two of the creators of the US television series '' The Wizard'', Michael Berk and Douglas Schwartz, went on to produce the lifeguard drama ''Baywatch''. In this show's fifth season is an episode entitled "Short Sighted" which originally aired on 31 October 1994. Part of this episode concerns junior lifeguard Carter McKay (Nicholas Banko), whose father Simon McKay ( Ed Gale) is a namesake tribute to Rappaport's character on ''The Wizard''.Summary of ''Baywatch'' episode "Short Sighted"
at TV.com

Theatre

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

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Rappaport at shortsupport.org

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rappaport, David
1951 births
1990 deaths
Actors with dwarfism
Alumni of Bretton Hall College
Alumni of the University of Bristol
English expatriate male actors in the United States
Jewish English male actors
Schoolteachers from London
20th-century squatters
Micronational leaders
Suicides by firearm in California
Male actors from London
20th-century English male actors
English drummers
1990 suicides