Biography
John Bennett Perry, father of "Friends" star Matthew Perry, is still best recognized as the suave sailor from the Old Spice fragrance commercials that ran during the 1970s and '80s. Embodying an extensive career of diverse TV work, feature films, theater, and music, however, Perry is much more than a corporate spokesmodel. Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 1941, Perry got his start in New York, performing on and off Broadway. His success begat bicoastal opportunities, and he made his big-screen debut in 1976, appearing in a small role in the brutal revenge thriller "Lipstick." Perry's wide-ranging abilities as a character actor quickly made him one of the most prolific performers of the era. He landed memorable roles in dozens of television series, including gigs on the homesteader drama "Little House on the Prairie" and the mystery show "Murder, She Wrote." He was later honored for his work as a tireless sheriff in the 1987 TV movie "Independence," which received a Western Heritage award. Perry since popped up in major blockbusters like disaster maestro Roland Emmerich's "Independence Day," and the Brendon Fraiser family farce, "George of the Jungle." He has also appeared with his son Matthew several times (often playing his father) in movies like the 1997 romantic comedy "Fools Rush In" and the popular medical sitcom "Scrubs." Perry has also performed country music as part of The Ojai Valley Boys.
