Robert Tapert is Executive Producer of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" as well as "Xena: Warrior Princess" and “Young Hercules.” All three shows are produced under the Renaissance Pictures banner, which includes Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi as Executive Producers.

Hailing from Michigan like the rest of the original Renaissance team, Rob first met Ivan, then Sam Raimi at Michigan State University. There they formed the Society for Creative Filmmaking, and began a partnership that has been very successful in both film and television productions.

After producing the horror cult film hit "The Evil Dead," Rob went on to produce "Crimewave," "The Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn," "Darkman," and "Army of Darkness," all in collaboration with Sam Raimi.

As an Executive Producer, Rob Tapert applied his filmmaking experience to "Hard Target" and "Timecop," starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, as well as both direct-to-video "Darkman" sequels.

In addition, Rob was one of the executive producers of the two-hour series pilot of "M.A.N.T.I.S." for FOX, and also served as an Executive Producer on "The Quick and the Dead," a high-action western starring Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, and Leonardo DiCaprio, which was directed by Sam Raimi. In 1998, he was the Executive Producer for "Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus" for Universal Pictures Home Video.

Robert Tapert now leads the television production side of Renaissance Pictures. In addition to being Executive Producer for both Hercules and Xena, Rob has written and directed episodes in each series. He appeared in a cameo role for "The Xena Scrolls" and has been portrayed by his long-time friend Bruce Campbell in the Hercules episodes "Yes, Virginia, There is a Hercules" and "For Those of You Just Joining Us."

In March of 1998, Robert Tapert married actress Lucy Lawless (of Xena: Warrior Princess). On October 16 the couple celebrated the birth of their first child; son Julius Robert Bay. The family resides in NZ.