Harper began his acting career appearing as Jim Bob, the second-youngest of seven siblings, in the made-for-television film The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971).

[2] When The Waltons ended in 1981, Harper appeared in the television miniseries The Blue and the Gray and the theatrical film Fletch.

And along with most of the other series regulars, Harper appeared in various Waltons reunion specials produced in the 1980s and 1990s.

Harper is not currently active in show business, choosing to live a quiet, private life; however, he does occasionally appear at such Waltons-related functions as cast reunions, collectible and memorabilia fairs.

After working at a variety of jobs, he went to school to study business.