Robert Tapert
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Gerard Tapert (born May 14, 1955), sometimes credited as Rob Tapert, Robert G. Tapert, or Rip Tapert, is an American film producer, best known for his co-founding of, and his subsequent work with, the Renaissance Pictures company.
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[edit] Accidental producer
Tapert first become involved with filmmaking while attending Michigan State University. He intended to study economics, but was drawn into film courses by his roommate Ivan Raimi's brother Sam. Sam Raimi had been making films of his own in his native Michigan for many years, usually with his brothers Ivan and Ted, and Raimi's childhood friend Bruce Campbell. Ultimately, Sam Raimi and Tapert decided that they should make a film together.
[edit] The small start of something big
The result of this endeavour was The Happy Valley Kid, the story of a young man, played by Tapert, who goes to college, only to be met with rejection at every turn. Near the end of the film, he loses his mind, dresses up as a cowboy, and begins gunning down all those who wronged him. Despite its seemingly serious plot, the film is largely a comedy. The film was screened at Michigan State several times, and made a profit for Raimi and Tapert. This spurred them onto the idea of making a feature film.
[edit] The Evil Dead
Ultimately, when this feature film was produced, it was a graphic horror film titled The Evil Dead, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell. Thanks to a glowing review from author Stephen King, the film was a wild success with the crowd at the Cannes Film Festival in France, despite not enamouring other critics. The film was successful enough to spawn two sequels, Evil Dead II and Army Of Darkness, as well as long careers for Tapert, Raimi, Campbell, and others.
Tapert has also produced numerous other films, typically involving Sam Raimi and/or Bruce Campbell in some capacity, such as Crimewave, Easy Wheels, Lunatics: A Love Story, Darkman, Timecop, The Gift, The Grudge (and its sequel, The Grudge 2) and 30 Days of Night.
During the 1990s, Tapert produced several television series, most notably Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, in which he created or commissioned the creations of all of the characters, including Xena, Gabrielle, Borias, Eve, and Joxer.
He has been married to Xena star Lucy Lawless since March 28, 1998. They have two sons: Julius Robert Bay Tapert (born October 16, 1999) and Judah Miro Tapert (born May 7, 2002). Tapert is also stepfather to Lawless' daughter, Daisy Lawless (born July 15, 1988), from her first marriage. Tapert's younger brother, Jeff Tapert, works as caterer in the film industry.
[edit] References
- Robert G. Tapert at the Internet Movie Database
- Warren, Bill. The Evil Dead Companion, ISBN 0-312-27501-3.
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