Jessica Harper

Biography

Jessica Harper is an American actress, author, and composer, born on October 10, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and began her professional acting career shortly thereafter. Harper gained recognition as an understudy in the Broadway production of the rock musical Hair in 1970. In the 1970s and 1980s, she became known as a cult actress, noted for her performances in films such as Phantom of the Paradise, Suspiria, and Woody Allen's Love and Death. Harper also gained attention for her role in the X-rated film Inserts, where she had an explicit on-screen sex scene. In addition to her film career, Harper has authored several children's books and composed music for children, winning awards for her work. She is married to motion picture executive Tom Rothman.