Anthony Perkins

Date of Birth: April 4, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: September 12, 1992

Biography

Anthony Perkins was an American actor and singer, renowned for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller “Psycho” (1960). Born in New York City, Perkins was the son of stage and film actor Osgood Perkins and Janet Esselstyn Rane. His early life was marked by a strong influence from the acting world, which steered him towards a career in Hollywood. Perkins made his film debut in “The Actress” (1953) and went on to receive critical acclaim for his role in “Friendly Persuasion” (1956), earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Despite his versatile acting skills, he became indelibly associated with the character of Norman Bates, a role he reprised in three sequels, as well as the 1987 TV movie “Bates Motel.” Apart from his work in film, Perkins also had a successful career on Broadway and appeared in multiple television productions. He was a talented singer, releasing several albums during the 1950s and 1960s. In his later years, he became a director, helming “Psycho III” (1986).

5 Interesting Facts about Anthony Perkins

1. Anthony Perkins was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Friendly Persuasion” (1956).

2. He was married to photographer Berry Berenson from 1973 until his death in 1992.

3. Perkins was a talented singer and released multiple albums, including “From My Heart” (1958) and “On a Rainy Afternoon” (1958).

4. He co-wrote the screenplay for “The Last of Sheila” (1973) with Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim.

5. Perkins was openly bisexual and was an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, although he kept his personal life private for much of his career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Anthony Perkins

1. “I have learned more about love, selflessness and human understanding from the people I have met in this great adventure in the world of AIDS than I ever did in the cutthroat, competitive world in which I spent my life.”

2. “I have a need to be all things to all people.”

3. “I think if I have any kind of unique gift, it’s to sort of be able to act as a bridge between different kinds of people.”

4. “I’m not a hero. I’m not a movie star. I’m just an actor.”

5. “I play Norman Bates because I was told to. I don’t particularly want to be identified with him.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Anthony Perkins’ net worth was estimated to be around $6 million.

Children

Anthony Perkins had two sons with Berry Berenson: Osgood “Oz” Perkins II, born February 2, 1974, who is an actor and director, and Elvis Perkins, born February 9, 1976, who is a musician.