Joseph Harper (1759-February 27, 1811) was an English-born and early American actor and theatre manager. Harper was from Norwich, England. He came to the United States and was engaged in the Old American Company, where he was active for several years and considered a capable actor within 'light comedy' until he left the company after the death of his wife in 1791. He managed the illegal Board Alley Theatre in Boston, until Governor John Hancock forced it to close sometime in June 1793.