Born Aug. 15, 1950, in Mammoth Springs, Ark., and educated in Missouri, Tess Harper has put her Southern roots to use to stunning effect in some of her best performances, including her big-screen debut as Robert Duvall's much younger wife in Bruce Beresford's Tender Mercies (1983) and her Oscar-winning portrayal of nosy cousin Chickie in Crimes of the Heart (also from Beresford).Other important films for the strawberry blond actress include the comedies Her Alibi and Ishtar, Sam Shepard's directorial debut Far North (1988) and the coming-of-age drama The Man in the Moon (opposite Reese Witherspoon).
Harper's also founded meaty roles on the small screen in TV movies such as Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story and Journey Home (opposite Beau Bridges) and with a recurring role on the series "Christy" (1994-95).
Tender MerciesAlcoholic drifter Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) comes into the life of a lonely widow (Tess Harper) and her young son (Allan Hubbard) in the barren flatlands of Texas. But when Mac is revealed to be a once-famous country singer, he must face a painful past and an uncertain future. The new relationships... Read More
Saving Sarah CainWhen Sarah (Lisa Pepper) becomes legal guardian of her sister's Amish-raised children, she takes them back to the big city and uses their story to advance her waning writing career. But when her new brood learns of the exploitation, they demand to return home. Will Sarah turn from her selfish ways... Read More
LoggerheadsGrace (Bonnie Hunt) returns home to visit her mom and finds the child she gave up for adoption; Mark (Kip Pardue) helps endangered turtles procreate and meets a potential mate himself; and Elizabeth (Tess Harper) must decide whether to diverge from the beliefs of her minister husband. It's Mother's... Read More
Amityville 3-DTo debunk the Amityville house's infamous reputation and take advantage of a rock-bottom asking price, skeptical journalist John Baxter (Tony Roberts) buys the place and settles in to write his first novel. But as soon as the ink on the deed has dried, people who have come into contact with John and... Read More
Little Girl LostThis heart-wrenching story inspired by real events depicts the trials of the Brady family, who are trying desperately to adopt a helpless little girl they took in when she was in a foster care program. Clara (Tess Harper) and Tim Brady (Frederic Forrest) are in for the fight of their lives as they... Read More
R | ||
R | ||
PG | ||
Kiss the Bride (2007) | R | |
Broken (2007) | R | |
Jam (2006) | NR | |
Karla (2006) | R | |
Broken Bridges (2006) | PG-13 | |
Jesus, Mary and Joey (2006) | PG-13 | |
Loggerheads (2005) | NR | |
Angel in the Family (2004) | NR | |
The Rising Place (2001) | PG-13 | |
NR | ||
The In Crowd (2000) | PG-13 | |
The Jackal (1997) | R | |
Gun (1997) | NR | |
Christy: The Complete Series (1994) | NR | |
The Man in the Moon (1991) | PG-13 | |
PG-13 | ||
Her Alibi (1989) | PG-13 | |
Criminal Law (1988) | R | |
Little Girl Lost (1988) | NR | |
Ishtar (1987) | PG-13 | |
Daddy (1987) | NR | |
Crimes of the Heart (1986) | PG-13 | |
Tender Mercies (1983) | PG | |
Chiefs (1983) | NR | |
Amityville 3-D (1983) | PG | |
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