| Robert Tapert | |
|---|---|
Rob Tapert speaking at SPADA 2010 |
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| Born | May 14, 1955 |
| Occupation | Film and television producer |
| Spouse | Lucy Lawless (1998–present) |
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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Tapert first became 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.
He has two sisters Dorothy Tapert and Mary Beth Tapert, he also has a younger brother, Jeff Tapert.
The result of this endeavor 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.
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 enamoring other critics. The film was successful enough to spawn two sequels, Evil Dead II and Army Of Darkness.
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.
Tapert's most recent television project, Spartacus: Blood and Sand for Starz, premiered in 2010.[1] He produced, with his friend Sam Raimi, the Ghost House Pictures project Panic Attack!,[2] who is directed by Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez.[3] Tapert will produce alongside Sam Raimi the Ghost House Production project Dibbuk Box.[4]
On July 13, 2011 it was announced that Tapert along with Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell would be producing the upcoming remake of The Evil Dead through Ghost House Pictures.[5]
Tapert was in a 12 year relationship with screenwriter Jane Goe before marrying [Lucy Lawless]] on March 28, 1998. Since then, they have two sons: Julius Robert Bay Tapert (born October 16, 1999) and Judah Miro Tapert (born May 7, 2002). Tapert is also the stepfather of Lucy's daughter, Daisy Lawless.