Perkins began his career as a juvenile lead in the early 1950s and distinguished himself in films including "Tin Star" (1957) and, as baseball star Jim Piersall, "Fear Strikes Out" (1957). His gripping recreation of Piersall's mental problems made him a suitable choice for what would become his signature role, the mother-fixated Norman Bates in Hitchcock's classic thriller, "Psycho" (1960). He went on to appear in a number of interesting works, including Orson Welles' adaptation of Kafka's "The Trial" (1962), but could never quite shake the "Psycho" mantle. In the mid-1980s, Perkins returned to the scene of his early triumph, reprising the Bates role in three progressively campy sequels, the second of which also marked his directorial debut. He was the son of actor Osgood Perkins (Johnny Lovo in "Scarface" 1932) and husband of Berry Berenson, who appeared opposite him in two films, "Remember My Name" (1978) and "Winter Kills" (1979).
- Also Credited As:
Tony Perkins
- Born:
April 4, 1932 in New York City, New York, USA
- Died:
September 12, 1992.
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Job Titles:
Actor, Director, Screenwriter, Singer, Theater box office manager
Family
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Father: Osgood Perkins. born on May 16, 1892; died in 1937 of heart failure
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Mother: Janet Esseltyn Perkins. born c. 1895; died August 24, 1979; held various jobs including theater business manager; after husband s death lived with playwright Micheala O Hara
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Sister-in-law: Marisa Berenson.
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Son: Elvis Perkins. born on February 9, 1976; mother, Berry Berenson
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Son: Osgood Robert Perkins. born on February 2, 1974; mother, Berry Berenson
Significant Others
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Companion: Rudolf Nureyev.
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Companion: Arthur Teno Pollick. together in 1959
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Companion: Dorothy Jeakins. befriended Perkins in 1950s
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Companion: Grover Dale. had long relationship in the 1960s before marrying actress Anita Morris
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Companion: Mali Nurmi. dated briefly
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Companion: Tab Hunter. involved in the 1950s
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Companion: Timmy Evans. involved in 1958
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Companion: Victoria Principal. dated in the early 1970s
Education
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The Brooks School, North Andover, Massachusetts, 1944
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Columbia University, New York, New York
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Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida
Milestones
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1942 After father s death, moved to Boston
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1947 Professional stage debut with the Brattleboro Summer Theatre in Vermont; acted in Junior Miss
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1948 In the summer, managed box office and acted at Robin Hood Theater in Arden, Delaware
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1953 Film acting debut in The Actress
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1954 Broadway debut in Tea and Sympathy , replacing John Kerr as the boy; Joan Fontaine co-starred
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1956 Received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Friendly Persuasion
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1957 Returned to Broadway stage in Look Homeward, Angel
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1957 Cast as Boston Red Sox player Jimmy Piersall in Fear Strikes Out
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1958 Appeared as Cornelius Hackl in The Matchmaker
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1958 Co-starred opposite Sophia Loren in Desire Under the Elms
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1960 Made musical theater debut in Greenwillow ; earned Tony nomination
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1960 Played signature role of Norman Bates in Psycho
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1967 Stage directing debut, the tour of The Star-Spangled Girl ; also starred
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1968 Co-starred with Tuesday Weld in Pretty Poison
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1970 Cast in the leading role of Bobby in the landmark musical Company ; withdrew before rehearsals and replaced by Dean Jones (who also later withdrew just after opening night on Broadway)
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1970 Off-Broadway directing debut, Steambath ; also played lead role
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1972 Reunited with Weld for Play It as It Lays
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1973 First film as co-writer (with Stephen Sondheim), The Last of Sheila
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1974 Staged the Off-Broadway production of The Wager
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1974 Was part of the all-star ensemble of Murder on the Orient Express
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1975 Appeared opposite Diana Ross in Mahogany
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1979 Had celebrated nude scene in the stage play Romantic Comedy
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1983 Reprised role of Norman Bates in Psycho II
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1986 Film directing debut, Psycho III ; also played Norman Bates
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1989 Helmed Lucky Stiff
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1990 Once again starred as Norman in Psycho IV: A New Beginning
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1992 Final acting appearance in the TV-movie Into the Deep Woods
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Born in NYC
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Portrayed Martin Dysart on Broadway in Equus
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Starred on Broadway in Neil Simon s The Star-Spangled Girl
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Worked in summer stock at the Peterborough Summer Theatre in Ontario, Canada