Ronald Perlman
Ronald Perlman was born April 13, 1950. He is an American actor and voice actor. He played the role of Vincent on the television series Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990), for which he won a Golden Globe Award, the comic book character Hellboy in both Hellboy (2004) and its sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), and Clay Morrow on the television series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2013).
Perlman is known as a collaborator of Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro, having roles in the del Toro films Cronos (1993), Blade II (2002), and Pacific Rim (2013). He is also known for his voice-over work as the narrator of the post-apocalyptic game series Fallout, Clayface on Batman: The Animated Series, Slade on the animated series Teen Titans, The Lich on Adventure Time, and The Stabbington Brothers in Disney’s animated film Tangled (2010).
Early life
Ronald Perlman was born in Washington Heights, New York. His mother, Dorothy (née Rosen), (1921-2018) was a municipal employee, and his father, Bertram “Bert” Perlman, (1919-1969) was a jazz drummer and television repairman.
Perlman said in 1988, “It was not a bad childhood but I had a perception of myself that was … I was terribly overweight as a young kid, and it was sort of a low self image.” He cited this experience as one thing that attracts him to roles where he portrays “these sorts of deformed people who are very endearing”. His parents are Jewish (their families were from Hungary and Poland). Perlman had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.
He has said that he and his father were “very close” and that it was his father, after seeing Perlman in a college production of Guys and Dolls, who told him that he “had to” pursue a career as an actor. Perlman later said that his father essentially “gave him permission to be an actor”. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with a master’s degree in theater arts in 1973.
Career
Film and television
Perlman started his career as a stage actor, appearing in various productions, and made his feature film debut in Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film Quest for Fire (1981). Annaud later revealed that when he contacted Perlman to ask him about playing Salvatore in The Name of the Rose (1986), Perlman was thinking of abandoning his career. After various minor and supporting roles in films and television series, his breakthrough role came when he played Vincent on the television series Beauty and the Beast, opposite Linda Hamilton from 1987 to 1990. This earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series in 1989.
He went on to play roles in many films and television series throughout the 1980s and 1990s as well as the 2000s. His most notable film appearances were in films such as The Name of the Rose (1986), Romeo is Bleeding (1993), The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993), Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994), The Last Supper (1995), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996), Alien Resurrection (1997), Enemy at the Gates (2001), Blade II and Star Trek: Nemesis (both 2002) and two Stephen King story-to-movie adaptations, Sleepwalkers and Desperation. His appearances on television series include Highlander: The Series, The Outer Limits, The Magnificent Seven, and the Amazon series Hand of God.
He played his first leading film role in 1995, when he played “One” in Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro’s French-language The City of Lost Children.
In 2003, Perlman starred in a commercial for Stella Artois beer. This commercial, which was called “Devil’s Island”, won a Silver Award at the 2003 British Advertising Awards.
Subsequently, he got another leading film role in 2004 when he played the title role in the comic book adaptation Hellboy. Thereafter, Perlman reprised his role as Hellboy in the straight to DVD animated features Hellboy: Sword of Storms (2006) and Hellboy: Blood and Iron (2007) as well as Hellboy II: The Golden Army, released on July 11, 2008.
In 2008, Perlman joined the cast of the television series Sons of Anarchy on FX playing Clay Morrow, the national president of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club. He stared alongside Katey Sagal, Charlie Hunnam, Kim Coates, Ryan Hurst, Tommy Flanagan, David Labrava, and Theo Rossi.
Voice-over work
Perlman also has a successful career as a voice actor in addition to his onscreen acting. Having portrayed characters in numerous video games and animated series and in voice-over work in television commercials. These include Casper High English teacher and vice-principal Mr. Lancer in Danny Phantom, The Lich in Adventure Time, Kurtis Stryker in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm.
He appeared as Justice in Afro Samurai, various characters in DC Comics based series such as the villainous Slade, a version of DC character Deathstroke in the Teen Titans animated series and again in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. Clayface in Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures, Jax-Ur in Superman: The Animated Series, Orion in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Sozin in Avatar: The Last Airbender, several villains (Killer Croc, Rumor and Bane) in The Batman, Doctor Double X in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Sinestro in Green Lantern: The Animated Series.
Video Game Credits
His video game credits include Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood in the games Halo 2 and Halo 3, Jagger Valance in The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, and Batman in Justice League Heroes. He is well known by Fallout fans for narrating the introductory movies in the series, including uttering the famous phrase “War. War never changes.”
He also voices “Slade” in the 2008 Turok game, and Emil Blonsky/Abomination in Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Conan for the PS3 and Xbox 360, and voices the fast-talking Mayor Hoodoo Brown in the Neversoft game Gun. He also made an appearance in Payday 2 as “Rust”, part of the “Biker Pack” DLC.
Perlman also provided the narration for the introduction to UFC on FOX 13.
Personal life
Perlman married his wife, jewelry designer Opal Stone on February 14, 1981.
They have two children: daughter Blake Amanda Perlman who was born in 1984 and son Brandon Avery Perlman who was born in 1990. Importantly, his son produces electronic music under the stage name Delroy Edwards.
Perlman is spiritual but not religious, and described himself as a lifelong Democrat in November 2016. He has volunteered as an actor with the Young Storytellers Program. In addition to this, he is actively involved with many charities, including animal rescue projects.
It should be noted, Ron once spent several hours getting made up in his Hellboy makeup, just to make a very ill little boy’s “Make a Wish” come true.
Ron Perlman was featured in the January/February 2014 installment of Cigar Aficinado Magazine and graced it’s cover.
In fact, on November 9, 2016, Perlman announced via Facebook his intention to run for U.S. President in 2020. Furthermore, on June 26, 2018, Perlman claimed to have urinated on his hand before a requested handshake with Harvey Weinstein at a charity event.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
The 1980’s
- 1981 Quest for Fire – Amoukar – ominated—Genie Award for Best Performance by a Foreign Actor
- 1984 The Ice Pirates – Zeno
- 1986 The Name of the Rose – Salvatore
The 1990’s
- 1992 Sleepwalkers – Captain Soames
- 1993 Cronos – Angel De La Guardia
- Romeo Is Bleeding – Jack’s attorney
- When the Bough Breaks – Dr. Douglas Eben
- The Adventures of Huck Finn – Pap Finn
- 1994 Double Exposure John McClure
- Police Academy: Mission to Moscow Konstantine Konali
- Sensation Detective Pantella
- 1995 The City of Lost Children One
- Fluke Sylvester
- The Last Supper Norman Arbuthnot
- 1996 The Island of Dr. Moreau Sayer of the Law
- 1997 Prince Valiant Boltar
- Tinseltown Cliff
- Alien Resurrection Johner
- 1998 I Woke Up Early the Day I Died Cemetery Caretaker
- Frogs for Snakes Gascone
- The Protector Dr. Ramsey Krago
- An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island Mr. Grasping (voice)
- 1999 Happy, Texas Marshal Nalhober
The 2000’s
- 2000 The Trial of Old Drum Charles Burden Sr.
- Titan A.E. Sam Tucker (voice)
- Operation Sandman Dr. Harlan Jessup
- The King’s Guard Lord Morton
- Price of Glory Nick Everson
- Bread and Roses Himself Uncredited cameo
- Stroke Schumaker
- 2001 Down Mitchell
- Enemy at the Gates Koulikov
- 2002 Blade II Dieter Reinhardt
- Night Class Morgan
- Crime and Punishment Dusharo
- Star Trek: Nemesis Reman Viceroy
- Shakedown Christopher ‘St. Joy’ Bellows Direct-to-DVD
- L’Chayim, Comrade Stalin! Narrator
- 2003 Boys on the Run Captain
- Rats Dr. William Winslow
- Hoodlum & Son ‘Ugly’ Jim McCrae
- Absolon Murchison
- Two Soldiers Colonel McKellog Short film
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action VP for Never Learning
- 2004 Comic Book: The Movie Himself Cameo
Direct-to-DVD
- 2004 Hellboy Hellboy
- Quiet Kill Detective Sergeant Perry
- 2005 The Second Front General von Binding
- Missing in America Red
- Tarzan II Kago (voice) Direct-to-DVD
- Scooby-Doo! in Where’s My Mummy? Hotep (voice) Direct-to-DVD
- 2006 Local Color Curtis Sunday
- How to Go Out on a Date in Queens Vito
- The Last Winter Ed Pollack Nominated—Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast
- Five Girls Father Drake
- Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy! Captain Skunkbeard/Biff Wellington (voice)
- Hellboy: Sword of Storms Hellboy (voice) Direct-to-DVD
- 2007 In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale Norick
- Hellboy: Blood and Iron Hellboy (voice) Direct-to-DVD
- Battle for Terra Elder Vorin (voice)
- 2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Redcap (voice) Uncredited cameo
- Uncross the Stars Bobby Walden
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army Hellboy Nominated—Scream Award for Best Fantasy Actor and Nominated—Scream Award for Best Superhero
- Outlander Gunnar
- Spirit of the Forest Oak (voice)
- Mutant Chronicles Brother Samuel
- 2009 The Devil’s Tomb Wesley
- Dark Country Deputy Thompson Direct-to-DVD
- I Sell The Dead Father Duffy
- The Job Jim
The 2010’s
- 2010 Killer by Nature Dr. Julian
- Acts of Violence Priest Bill
- Tangled The Stabbington Brothers (voices)
- Bunraku Nicola
- The Legend of Secret Pass Parker (voice)
- Season of the Witch Felson
- 2011 The Littlest Angel God (voice)
- Conan the Barbarian Corin
- Drive Nino
- Elwood Louie the Jaw Short film; also executive producer
- 2012 The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption Horus Direct-to-DVD
- Bad Ass Mayor Williams
- The Punisher: Dirty Laundry Big Mike Short film
- Crave Pete
- 3,2,1… Frankie Go Boom Phil
- The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America Gene Krupa
- 2013 Pacific Rim Hannibal Chau
- 2013 Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (voice)
- Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Polyphemus (voice)
- 2014 The Virginian Judge Henry Direct-to-DVD
- Tbilisi, I Love You American motorcyclist
- 13 Sins Chilcoat
- Before I Disappear Bill
- Kid Cannabis Barry Lerner
- Dermaphoria Anslinger
- The Book of Life Xibalba (voice)
- Skin Trade Viktor Dragovic
- Poker Night Calabrese
- 2015 Moonwalkers Kidman
- Bone in the Throat N/A Executive producer
- Stonewall Ed Murphy
- 2016 Chuck Al Braverman
- All I See Is You N/A Executive producer
- Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom Shoggoth (voice)
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Gnarlack
- 2017 All Nighter N/A Executive producer
- Sergio and Sergei Peter Also executive producer
- Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom Shoggoth (voice)
- Pottersville Sheriff Jack Also producer
- 2018 To Dust N/A Producer
- The Escape of Prisoner 614 The Sheriff Also executive producer
- The Steam Engines of Oz Magnus (voice) Direct-to-DVD
- Asher Asher Also producer
- Robodog Marshall (voice) Post-production
- 2019 Monster Hunter Filming
Television
- Year Title Role Notes
- 1979 Ryan’s Hope Dr. Bernie Marx
- 1985 The Fall Guy Thug Episode: “Split Image”
- Our Family Honor Bausch Episode: “Pilot”
- MacGruder and Loud Attorney Episode: “The Very Scary Man”
- Our Family Honor Bausch Episode: “Split Image”
- 1986 The Insiders Episode: “Den of Thieves”
- Miami Vice John Ruger Episode: “Walk-Alone”
- 1987–1990 Beauty and the Beast Vincent – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (1989) Q Award for Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series (1988–1989) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1988–1989) Nominated—Q Award for Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series (1990)
- 1988 A Stoning in Fulham County Jacob Shuler Television film
The 1990’s
- 1992 Blind Man’s Bluff Frank Cerrillo Television film
- 1992–1993 Batman: The Animated Series Clayface / Driller (voices)
- 1993 The Untouchables Snake Episode: “Railroaded”
- Bonkers Sergeant Francis Q. Grating (voice)
- Animaniacs Satan / Sgt. Sweete (voices)
- Arly Hanks Jim-Bob Buchanan Television film
- 1994 The Cisco Kid Lt. Col. Delacroix Television film
- Aladdin Arbutus (voice) Episode: “Garden of Evil”
- Mighty Max Goar (voice) Episode: “Tar Wars”
- The Little Mermaid Apollo (voice) Episode: “Heroes”
- 1995 Tiny Toon Adventures Mr. Scratch (voice) Episode: “Night Ghoulery”
- Fantastic Four Wizard / Hulk (voices) 2 episodes
- Iron Man Dr. Bruce Banner/The Hulk (voice) Episode: “Hulk Buster”
- Original Sins Chas Bradley Television film
- Mr. Stitch Doctor Frederick Texarian Television film
- The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space Lord Vox of Vestron
- 1996 Phantom 2040 Graft (voice)
- Wing Commander Academy Daimon Karnes (voice)
- Duckman Roland Thompson (voice) Episode: “They Craved Duckman’s Brain!”
- Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm Kurtis Stryker / Scorpion (voice)
- 1996–1998 Hey Arnold! Mickey Kaline (voice)
- 1996 Highlander: The Series The Messenger Episode: “The Messenger”
- 1997 Tracey Takes On… Stuart Episode: “Secrets”
- Perversions of Science 40132 Episode: “The Exile”
- The Second Civil War Alan Manieski Television film
- 1997–1999 Superman: The Animated Series Jax-Ur (voice)
- 1997–1998 The New Batman Adventures Clayface (voice)
- 1998–2000 The Magnificent Seven Josiah Sanchez
- 1998 Godzilla Leviathan Alien/Ship Captain (voice) Episode: “Leviathan”
- The Outer Limits Lt. Col. Brandon Grace Episode: “Black Box”
- A Town Has Turned to Dust Jerry Paul Television film
- Houdini Booking Agent Television film
- 1999 Family Law Roy Episode: “The List”
- Men in Black: The Series Drekk / Javkor (voice)
- Supreme Sanction The Director Television film
- Primal Force Frank Brodie Television film
The 2000’s
- 2000 The Wild Thornberrys Wild Horse (voice) Episode: “Horse Sense”
- Jackie Chan Adventures Karl (voice) Episode: “Shell Game”
- Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Leader (voice) Episode: “Haunted Moon”
- Operation Sandman Dr. Harlan Jessup Television film
- The Trial of Old Drum Charles Burden Sr. Television film
- 2001 Charmed Mr Kelleman Episode: “Wrestling with Demons”
- The Legend of Tarzan Colonel Nikolas Rokoff (voice)
- The Tick Fiery Blaze Episode: “Couples”
- 2003 Static Shock Heavyman (voice) Episode: “The Parent Trap”
- Justice League Clayface / Orion (voices)
- 2003–2006 Teen Titans Slade (voice)
- 2004–2007 Danny Phantom Mr. Lancer (voice)
- 2005 What’s New, Scooby-Doo? Joe/Frozen Fiend (voice)
- 2005–2008 The Batman Killer Croc / Bane / Rumor (voices)
- 2006 Masters of Horror Dwayne Burcell Episode: “Pro-Life”
- Desperation Collie Entragian Television film
- Justice League Unlimited Orion (voice) Episode: “Flash and Substance”
- 2007 Afro Samurai Justice (voice) English dub
- Kim Possible Warhawk (voice)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender Firelord Sozin (voice)
- 2008–2013 Sons of Anarchy Clay Morrow
- 2008–2010 Chowder Arbor (voice)
- 2009 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Gha Nachkt (voice)
- Robot Chicken Tony Stark / Handy Ball (voices) Episode: “Tell My Mom”
The 2010’s
- 2009–2012 1000 Ways to Die Narrator
- 2010, 2014 Archer Ramon Limon (voice)
- 2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Doctor Double X (voice)
- 2011–2012 American Dad! Monster Hunter / Colonel (voices)
- 2011–2017 Adventure Time The Lich (voice)
- 2012 DC Nation Shorts Slade / Alfred Pennyworth (voices)
- 2013 Green Lantern: The Animated Series Sinestro (voice)
- 2014–2017 Hand of God Judge Pernell Harris; also executive producer
- 2015 The Blacklist Luther Braxton
- SuperMansion Blazar (voice)
- 2015–2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Armaggon (voice)
- 2016 Turbo FAST Darryl (voice) Episode: “Keep on Truckin'”
- Maron Mel
- 2016 Trollhunters Bular (voice)
- 2017 Tangled: The Series The Stabbington Brothers (voices)
- 2017–present StartUp Wes Chandler
- 2018 Final Space John Goodspeed (voice)
- Transformers: Power of the Primes Optimus Primal (voice)
Video games
Year Title Voice role Notes
The 1990’s
- 1994 The Adventures of Batman & Robin Clayface Sega CD version
- 1995 Chronomaster Rene Korda
- 1997 Fallout Narrator, Butch Harris
- 1998 Fallout 2 Narrator
The 2000’s
- 2001 Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter Wylfdene
- Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel Narrator
- 2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Clayface, Matt Hagen
- True Crime: Streets of LA Misha, Additional Voices
- Lords of EverQuest Lord Skass
- 2004 The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay Jagger Valance
- Halo 2 Lord Hood
- 2005 Narc Captain Joe Kowalski
- Gun Mayor Hoodoo Brown
- The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction Emil Blonsky/The Abomination
- The Outfit Tommy Mac
- 2006 Teen Titans Slade
- Justice League Heroes Bruce Wayne/Batman
- 2007 Halo 3 Lord Hood
- Conan Conan the Barbarian
- 2008 Turok Slade
- Hellboy: The Science of Evil Hellboy
- Fallout 3 Narrator
The 2010’s
- 2009 Afro Samurai Justice English dub
- Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X 2 Dagger
- 2010 Fallout: New Vegas Narrator
- Tangled: The Video Game Stabbington Brotherl
- 2013 Payday 2 Rust
- 2014 Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff Himself
- 2015 Call of Duty: Black Ops III Floyd Campbell
- Fallout 4 Anchorman[22]
- 2016 Payday 2 Rust
- Lego Dimensions Gnarlack / The Lich
- 2018 Fallout 76 Narrator
Stage
- Year Title Role Notes
- 1975 A Country Scandal Vengerovich Knickerbocker Theatre
- 1975–1976 Measure for Measure Lucio Knickerbocker Theatre
- 1976–1977 The Architect and the Emperor of Assyria The Emperor National & European tours
- 1979–1980 Teibele and Her Demon Beadle Treitel Brooks Atkinson Theatre
- 1984 La Tragedie de Carmen Lincoln Center
- 1990–1991 A Few Good Men Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep Music Box Theatre
- 1996 Bus Stop Dr. Gerald Lyman Circle in the Square Theatre
In 2014, Ron Perlman published Easy Street (the Hard Way): A Memoir. The Overview at Barnes & Noble reads: The engaging, passionate, always-honest, and often-hilarious memoir of actor Ron Perlman—his triumphant story of perseverance and determination navigating the slippery slopes of Hollywood, with a foreword by Guillermo del Toro
Ron Perlman was a kid who had a myriad of self-image issues, yet he triumphed in an industry that trades on image and self-confidence. He landed a leading role in Quest for Fire, won a Golden Globe for Beauty and the Beast, and played the title role in two Hellboy movies, becoming along the way an icon among sci-fi and comic book fans worldwide.
In Easy Street (the Hard Way), Ron shares his life story, starting with his up-by-your-bootstraps background in New York’s Washington Heights. He sheds light on his life as a working actor; offers behind-the-scenes insight into the working styles of directors, including Jean-Jacques Annaud, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy and the Academy Award-winning Pan’s Labyrinth); and provides a peek into Hollywood, where he’s encountered Marlon Brando, Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., and others. He also turns his eye on the trajectory of American culture—the good and the bad—as observed by a man who started out in a mom-and-pop world where the arts were disseminated by individuals rather than corporations.
Ron’s memoir will inspire anyone who has ever dared to dream and offers a roadmap to the next generation of dreamers.
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