Robert Tapert (character)

Robert Tapert was a producer with. He was the creator of ' and executive producer of '.

As a Hollywood producer, Tapert was pitched the idea for a Xena-related show by Ted in 1990. He developed the show straight from the Xena scrolls. (XWP: "The Xena Scrolls")

By 1998, Tapert had increased in prestige, becoming the executive producer of Hercules with the help of actor Kevin Sorbo. When Sorbo briefly disappeared after an earthquake, Tapert was ordered to a meeting of Renaissance Pictures. After a slew of ideas were tossed, and a brief firing and re-hiring by studio head B.S. Hollingfoffer, Sorbo turned up and the show continued. Some ideas that Tapert considered were a series based on a younger Hercules and an animated version. (HTLJ: "Yes, Virginia, There is a Hercules")

Some time later, Hollingfoffer gave Tapert a week's notice to improve the quality of Hercules before considering cancellation. Tapert organized a creative retreat to Camp WannaChuck where, with Sorbo's help, he came up with the idea of killing off Iolaus. Tapert and the rest of the Renaissance team was nearly killed off by Hollingfoffer, but saved by Hercules. In the process, they discovered that Ares was a real-life entity. (HTLJ: "For Those of You Just Joining Us")

After the discovery of a new scroll recounting Xena's adventures, fans of the show Xena: Warrior Princess demanded that Tapert produce a seventh season. (XWP: "Soul Possession")
 * Tapert was portrayed by himself in his first appearance and Bruce Campbell on Hercules.