David Martin Ruprecht, (born October 14, 1948) in St. Louis, Missouri, is an American actor and writer who hosted the Lifetime and PAX versions of the American game show, Supermarket Sweep.
Sweep Aliases[]
Throughout the PAX version, David was given an alias during his introduction, and it usually involved products found throughout the market.
- "The Sultan of Salami"
- "The Prince of Produce"
- "The King of Carts"
- "The Baron of Brand Names"
- "The Master of Merchandise"
- "The Magistrate of Meat"
- "The Item on Everyone's List"
- "The Face That Launched a Thousand Carts" 1
- "Our Own Special Little Jelly Belly"
1 This seems to be David's favorite as he repeats this out loud on S2000E20
Biography[]
Official Website Bio[]
Who is David Ruprecht?
If you think a grocery-aisle is an unlikely place to find a Hollywood actor-screenwriter, think again! Meet David Ruprecht, former co-host of NBC's "Real People", currently best known to the collective television mind as host of PAX TV's "Supermarket Sweep" and "Mrs. World Pageant". The host of the popular game show since its debut in 1990, Ruprecht is the same guy who spent two years as Dan Ryan on "Days of Our Lives," before sweet-talking Joyce Dewitt in the recurring role as her boyfriend/husband on the hit sitcom of the eighties, "Three's Company."
Television audiences also know Ruprecht from his frequent Guest Star appearances on a number of top-rated series, "Drew Carey" (People magazine called his performance, "One of the season's comic gems"), "Family Law", "Family Matters", "Sisters", "Beverly Hills 90210", "Full House", "St. Elsewhere" and "Moonlighting" for starters. He starred opposite John Huston in "A Minor Miracle", with Cloris Leachman in "Perfectly Frank" for Showtime and also the Broadway version of that show, and as Thurston Howell IV in the classic art-house film, "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island". As for the radio voice in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," that's Ruprecht too!
A member of the Writer's Guild of America, Ruprecht is also a Hollywood scribe with five episodes of the sitcom "Small Wonder" to his credit. His screenplay of "Tripoli" was recently bought by Hallmark and he is expanding it into a two-part miniseries to begin filming in January. He also sold two screenplays, "Finding Home," due in theatres Spring 2003, and "Charlie's Wake".
Born in St. Louis and raised in Florida, Ruprecht's career path has been completely unpredictable. His father, a Lutheran minister, wanted Ruprecht to follow in his footsteps, but he adamantly refused and then decided to become the next best thing. – an actor! Amazingly similar, both Preachers and Actors wear costumes, speak in front of audiences, use music… and both have a little wine after the show. The big difference is that David's Dad had better writers… he had the Apostles.
Having studied acting in Coventry, England, Ruprecht began building his acting resume during six years in Chicago. He was discovered by Eve Arden ("Our Miss Brooks") who convinced the preacher's son to leave the Windy City and try his luck in Tinseltown.
Orchestrating the silly madness on "Supermarket Sweep" is a terrific gig for this character actor whose mandate is to keep his feet on the ground. Ruprecht is married to the gifted Director/Choreographer Patti Colombo, who recently choreographed the Broadway revival of "Peter Pan" starring Cathy Rigby, as well as its filmed version for A&E (for which she received an EMMY nomination). Throughout the years, production schedules for "Supermarket Sweep" have dovetailed nicely with Ruprecht's artistic career pursuits and family priorities.
Filmography[]
Film[]
- One by One (2023 | Pre-production) - Jim
- Stand in the Gap (2023) - Keeper
- The Author, the Star, and the Keeper (2020), Keeper (as David Rupprecht)
- Mercy Christmas (2017) - Abe Robillard
- The Return (2015) - Taker
- Mister Scrooge to See You (2013) - Scrooge
- That's Easy for You to Say! (2004) - Brandon Taylor
- The Daze Before Christmas (2004) - Brandon Taylor
- Finding Home (2003) (writer)
- Taking Care of Business (1990) - Yuppie Dad
- Talking Walls (1987)
- A Minor Miracle (1983) - Dickens
- Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again (1982) - Brigham
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - Radio Voice (voice)
- The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) - Neighbor (as David Rupprecht)
Television[]
- True Blood (2008) - Televangelist
- The Bold and the Beautiful (2006) - Judge Bolan
- Cold Case (2005) - Radio Broadcaster
- Joan of Arcadia (2004) - Bill Cummins
- Finding Home (2003) - Pastor
- The Drew Carey Show (2001) - Inmate
- The '70s (TV Movie) (2000) - Middle Aged Man
- Family Law (2000) - Foster Dad
- I Lost My M in Vegas (Short) (1999) - Dealer
- Working (1998) - Announcer
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1998) - Eddie's Dad / Dr. Anderson
- Family Matters (1997) - Lee
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1996) - Lawyer
- Full House (1994) - T.V. Announcer
- Sisters (1993) - Host
- Doogie Howser, M.D. (1993) - T.V. Interviewer
- E! True Hollywood Story (1990) (TV Series documentary)
- Supermarket Sweep (1989 - 2003) - Host / Store manager
- Moonlighting (1989) - Police Artist
- Perfetc (1989) - Police Artist
- She's the Sheriff (1989)
- Matlock (1988) - Salesman
- Punky Brewster (1987 - 1988) - Minister / Mr. Bowen / Johnny Prince
- Married with Children (1987) - Mr. Mallman
- Small Wonder (1987) - Zack Davis
- Webster (1987) - Johnson
- Small Wonder (1986 - 1989) (writer)
- Simon & Simon (1986) - Navy Chief Hansen
- Riptide - (1986) - Randall Pierson
- Too Close for Comfort (1985) - Freddie Copperman
- St. Elsewhere (1985) - Dennis Coler
- Airwolf (1984) - Carlson
- Three's Company (1984) - Phillip Dawson
- Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour (1984)
- Foot in the Door (1983) - Gary
- Fame (1983) - Bernie
- The Shape of Things (1982)
- Quincy M.E. (1982) - Dr. Wilkens
- The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981) (TV Movie) - Thurston Howell IV
- Perfectly Frank (1981) (TV Movie)
- The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1980) - Hal Hendricks (as David Rupprecht)
- Benson (1980) - Ed Sherman
- Who's on Call? (1979) - Dr. Noel Copen
- Young Love, First Love (1979) (TV Movie)
- The Seniors (1978) (as David Rupprecht)
- The Rockford Files (1977) - David (as David Rupprecht)
- Days of Our Lives (1965 / 1990 - 1992) - Dan Ryan
Trivia[]
- David joined the Libertarian Party at the Libertarian National Convention in Anaheim, California in July of 2000.
- David has served as Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of California since October 14, 2004
Gallery[]
Supermarket Sweep Sweater Collection[]
After donning a suit and tie in the 1989 pilot, and before donning a collared shirt and tie for his 1993-1995 and 2000-2003 run on Supermarket Sweep, David Ruprecht was known in 1990-1993 for his eclectic collection of sweaters. His sweater collection became an iconic part of Supermarket Sweep history, and he was one of the last remaining game show hosts to wear decorated sweaters as part of his every day attire. In early 1990 his sweaters were provided by "Gitano Men". In late 1990-1992, the company was changed to just "Gitano". Early episodes in 1991-1992 list the sweaters as being provided by the company "Members Only", and in 1992-1993, the final season in which David wore sweaters, the sweaters were provided by "Michael Gerald, Ltd.".
