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Mark Tapscott

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Mark Tapscott
Born
Mark Loren Tapscott

(1924-12-15)December 15, 1924
Bellflower, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 10, 1993(1993-09-10) (aged 68)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1957–1987
Spouse(s)Frances Mae Ferrell (m. 1945; died 1969)
Sybil L. Line
(m. 1970)

Mark Loren Tapscott[1] (December 15, 1924 – September 10, 1993) was an American character actor in film and television, best known as a regular cast member of the long-running daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, wherein Tapscott portrayed the character Bob Anderson throughout most of the 1970s.[2][3]

Early life and career

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Born in Bellflower, California on December 15, 1924,[4][1] and raised there and in North Platte, Nebraska,[5][6][7] Tapscott was the son of Leola (née Walrath) and John H. Tapscott.[8][4][9] He attended Whittier State School[10][11][12] and Bakersfield Junior College.[13]

Tapscott served with the United States Marines in both World War II and the Korean War.[14] Following his service in the Korean War,[15] Tapscott attended the University of Oregon,[16] graduating in 1956.[17]

On May 22, 1976, at a musical celebration staged in Long Beach by the California Masonic Lodge in observance of the nation's Bicentennial, Tapscott portrayed George Washington, while colleague Royal Dano once again reprised his most famous role.[a][19]

Personal life and death

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From November 1945 until her death in 1969, Tapscott was married to Frances Mae Ferrell. About 10 months after their marriage, the couple celebrated the birth of an almost 8-pound baby girl, Teddy Norene.[20][21][22] Tapscott remarried in 1970, to Sybil L. Line.[23]

Tapscott died on September 10, 1993, of lung cancer.[24]

Selected filmography

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Films

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Television

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Notes

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  1. ^ A list of portrayals extending at least as far back as December 1941, when Dano, then a student at Haaren High School in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, created what Ralph Warner of The Daily Worker deemed "a vivid, graphic Abraham Lincoln".[18]
  2. ^ Father of Nikki Newman's then-boyfriend, Kevin Bancroft.

References

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  1. ^ a b ""California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGFW-2DLM : Fri Apr 04 01:29:00 UTC 2025), Entry for Mark Loren Tapscott and R M Stark, 30 Dec 1942.
  2. ^ "Tapscott's Real-Life Drama". The Sanford Herald. July 13, 1979. p. 7C. "A year ago, Mark Tapscott was confined to a hospital bed, part of a real-life drama in which he suffered a heart attack while playing golf. Today, the actor who portrays Bob Anderson on daytime's 'Days of Our Lives' has fully recovered and is still going as strong as ever. [...] 'There's not an abundance of work in major roles—on television or in films—for someone my age (early 50s), and here I am making a good salary and doing something I cherish. I am very aware of that good fortune and, as I look back on the character, I can vividly see the differences today compared to when I began some seven years ago.'"
  3. ^ Hirsch, Linda (May 13, 1980). "Daytime Dial: Did Roger Let Go or Fight to Live?". Messenger-Inquirer. p. 10B.
    "Q: I know the Bob Anderson was just killed off on days of Our Lives. Is that because the actor who plays him is ailing? I hope not. — L.M., Ft. Myers, Fla.
    A: No. Mark Tapscott, who had suffered a heart attack in real life a few years back, is in top physical shape. He was sorry to leave the show. He is a well-known actor in Hollywood and should be popping up in prime-time, and maybe even in other West Coast soaps. He certainly was liked by the fans."
  4. ^ a b "Bellflower Notes". Long Beach Press Telegram. December 18, 1924. p. 16. "Born, Monday, December 15, to Mr. and Mrs. John Tapscott, a son."
  5. ^ "Obituary: Mrs. M. H. Walrath". North Platte Daily Telegraph. July 28, 1934. p. 3. "Mrs. Walrarth hads been in failing health for two years. [...] She is survived by seven children: Mrs. Leola Tapscott and Mrs. Helen Sparks of North Platte; [...] a grandchild, Mark Tapscott, North Platte;"
  6. ^ "Local News Items". The Atkinson Graphic. July 10, 1936. p. 8. "Miss Lois Cunningham and her brother, Harold, and Miss Roberta Walrath and nephew, Mark Tapscott, drove up from North Platte last Friday to spend the Fourth with relatives and friends. [...] Mark stayed to spend a short time visiting his aunt, Mrs. John Silverstrand."
  7. ^ "News Briefs". North Platte Daily Telegraph. May 4, 1937. p. 5. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  8. ^ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGL4-DZM4 : Tue Feb 18 22:06:21 UTC 2025), Entry for Mark Loren Tapscott and J H Tapscott, 15 December 1924.
  9. ^ "Tapscott—Walrath". The Long Pine Journal. June 24, 1920. p. 4. "Miss Leola Walrath and J. W. Tapscott, of Breckenridge, Texas, were married June 8, at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Darlene Williamson. [...] Mr. Tapscott is a southern boy, born in Tennessee, but having spent most of his life in Texas. [...] Mrs. Leola Walrath Tapscott needs no introduction among Atkinson people, having spent the greater part of her life here and a graduate of the Atkinson High School [...] Mr. and Mrs. Tapscott will make their home in Beckenridge where Mr. Tapscott has business interests."
  10. ^ "State School Holds Service". The Whittier News. April 10, 1939. p. 9.
  11. ^ "SERVICES FOR STATE SCHOOL; To Be Held at Rose Hills Tomorrow, 9 a. m.". The Whittier News. May 29, 1940. p. 1.
  12. ^ "Graduation at State School". The Whittier News. June 15, 1940. p. 3. "Following the address, the school orchestra, led by Mr. Kernan, the band instructor, and accompanied by Mrs. Ostrum, played two selections. In the second piece, the aria from 'The Trumpeter,' Mark Tapscott played solo trumpet and won spontaneous applause from the audience."
  13. ^ "Former Local Teachers, Students Meet in Pacific". The Bakersfield Californian. p.. "A small but select representative student and faculty meeting of Bakersfield high schools and junior college was called to order June 15 on an advanced base in the Pacific war theater. [...] An official word of welcome was extended to the 'neophytes' by Private First Class Mark Tapscott of the marine defense battalion which made the original landing at this base. Tapscott, former member of the Junior College Symphony orchestra, is now with the Marine Defense band."
  14. ^ "Colton V.F.W. Post Named for Two Men Killed in Pacific Area; Killed on Okinawa; Announce Headquarters". The San Bernardino County Sun. May 21, 1946. p. 12. "A committee composed of W. B. Smith, chairman; Mark Tapscott, Domenic Ferranti and Benjamin J. Kingwell selected the post name of Hendrickson-Whitfield after careful consideration of the list of Colton men who gave their lives during the recent war. [...] The V.F.W. orchestra under the direction of Mark Tapscott will hold its first practice Thursday night."
  15. ^ "Mark L. Tapscott; Hub Marine Ends Active Service". The Colton Courier. July 13, 1951. p. 1. "Marine Sergeant Mark, L. Tapscott, husband of Mrs. Frances Mae Tapscott, 1277 North Tenth Street, has been returned home and put on inactive duty by the Marine Corps following 11 months of active service. [...] Tapscott was returned to active duty on July 29, 1950, and was shipped to Korea in September of last year. While overseas, he saw action in the areas around Enchon, Seoul, Wonsan, Hugnam and Masan. He also took part in the second capture of Seoul."
  16. ^ "Member of Cast". The Sacramento Union. November 1, 1953. p. 14. "Mark L. Tapscott, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Starr, 5632 State Avenue, is a member of the cast of 'Show Business-U of O,' a traveling talent show at the University of Oregon."
  17. ^ "People You Know". The Orland Unit. June 7, 1956. p. 6. "Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Stark plan to be in Eugene, Ore., this week end to attend commencement exercises at the University of Oregon. Their son, Mark Tapscott, is receiving his degree in music and drama."
  18. ^ Warner, Ralph (December 22, 1941). "'Road to Freedom'; Fine Historical Pageant Produced by High Schools". The Daily Worker. p. 7. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  19. ^ "'Buzz' Aldrin to top L.B. Masonic parade". Long Beach Independent. April 11, 1976.
  20. ^ "Marriages". The Oakland Post Enquirer. November 29, 1945. p. 25.
  21. ^ "Deaths, Funeral Announcements". The Los Angeles Times. August 19, 1969. p. 26. "Frances Mae, loving wife of Mark L. Tapscott, mother of Teddy N. Tapscott."
  22. ^ "Mark Tapscotts Welcome Baby Girl Aug. 22". The Colton Courier.
  23. ^ "California, Marriage Index, 1960-1985", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V6NC-4KL : Tue Feb 25 02:43:34 UTC 2025), Entry for Mark L Tapscott and Sibyl L Line, 1970.
  24. ^ a b Novakovich, Lilana (October 16, 1993). "Lilana's Diary". The Toronto Star. p. TV73. "Longtime Y&R and Days fans will be saddened by actor Mark Tapscott's passing. He played Kevin Bancroft's (one of Nikki's hubbies) father on Y & R for more than a year beginning in 1982. He portrayed Bob Anderson on Days from 1972-80. Mark died of lung cancer on Sept. 10."
  25. ^ 'Sergeant Has Advice'. The Cincinnati Post. July 28, 1970. p. 40. "A sergeant (Mark Tapscott), left, has some advice for George Jorgensen (John Hansen) about his behavior in 'The Christine Jorgensen Story.' The film comes to several theaters tomorrow."
  26. ^ Aros, Andrew A. (1977). An Actor Guide to the Talkies, 1965 through 1974. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press. p. 256. ISBN 0-8108-1052-2. "1682 THE LATE LIZ. (Gateway -1972). Liz Addams Hatch, Anne Baxter; James Hatch, Steve Forrest; Gordon Rogers, Jack Albertson; [...] Edie Morris, Nancy Hadley; Arthur Bryson, John Baer; Tony Webb, Mark Tapscott;"
  27. ^ Parish, James Robert; Hill, George H. (1989). Black Action Films: Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 235 Theatrical and Made-for-Television Releases. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 44. ISBN 9780899504568.
  28. ^ Damm, Richard (April 27, 2014). "USS Seadragon 'Operation Seadragon'". YouTube. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  29. ^ "Advertisement: MARK TAPSCOTT". The Hollywood Reporter. 16 October 1958. p. 10. ProQuest 2338245798. MARK TAPSCOTT as Tranko in 'The Roughriders' TONIGHT 9:30 P.M. — Channel 7
  30. ^ a b c Lentz, pp. 1670, 1671.
  31. ^ "Advertisement: MARK TAPSCOTT". The Hollywood Reporter. 23 December 1958. p. 14. ProQuest 2338299497. MARK TAPSCOTT as Charlie in 'Maverick' Sunday, Dec. 28 — Channel 7
  32. ^ a b Lentz, pp. 1672, 1673.
  33. ^ Lentz, pp. 1675.
  34. ^ Lentz, p. 1625.
  35. ^ Lentz, p. 1533.
  36. ^ Lentz, p. 1637.
  37. ^ a b Lentz, pp. 1691.
  38. ^ "Advertisement: MARK TAPSCOTT". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 March 1961. p. 14. ProQuest 2338371226. MARK TAPSCOTT as Nat Barnes in 'Case of Dangerous Robin' TONIGHT 9:30 P.M. — Channel 7
  39. ^ Chance, Norman (2011). Who was Who on TV, Volume 3. Xlibris. p. 295. ISBN 978-1-4568-2454-9.
  40. ^ Lentz, p. 1530.
  41. ^ a b c d Lentz, p. 1532.
  42. ^ West, Kevin (April 12, 2017). [ "The Big Valley S04E21 - The Battle of Mineral Springs"]. YouTube.
  43. ^ Lentz, p. 1649.
  44. ^ Lentz, p. 1545.
  45. ^ Lentz, p. 1546.
  46. ^ "Monday Agenda: Monday, September 21". The Daily Item. September 18, 1970. p. 30. "16-27—(Premiere) The Silent Force — Dramatic series about a trio of government undercover agents working against organized crime [...] "The Prosecutor" with guest star L. Bochner and featuring Mark Tapscott, Eddie Firestone."
  47. ^ "'Force' Probes Small Town D.A.". The Columbus Ledger. December 26, 1970. Sec. II, p. 8. "In 'The Prosecutor,' the Silent Force investigate Joseph Drake, the district attorney of a small town who is a clandestine member of a crime syndicate and hopes to be elected governor of the state by running on an anti-crime platform. [...] Lloyd Bochner guest stars as Joseph Drake, Mark Tapscott as Sheriff Harold Williamson and Eddie Firestone as Tommy Moran."
  48. ^ Russell, Maureen (1995). Days of Our Lives: A Complete History of the Long-Running Soap Opera. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 200. ISBN 978-0-7864-5983-4. "Mark Tapscott (Bob Anderson) 1972–80"
  49. ^ Novakovich, Lilana (October 8, 1993). "Soap Suds: Have You Heard?". The Province. p. B16. "Mark Tapscott, who played Bob Anderson on Days of Our Lives from 1972-80 and Earl Bancroft on The Young and the Restless from 1982 to 1983, died of lung cancer on Sept. 10."
  50. ^ Lentz, Harris M. (2001). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits, Volume 3: Television Shows. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 1880. ISBN 0-7864-0952-5. "“Gift of Life” (5-6-87). Dir.: Michael Landon; Sp.: Dan Gordon. Leslie Nielsen (R.R. Benson); Donna Mitchell (Kate); Lynda Aldon (Honey); F. William Parker (Henson); Max Segar (Krause); Paul Keith (Jim White); John C. Mooney (Ed Grey); Mark Tapscott (Councilman); Tom Nibley (Dave Green)."

Book sources

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