Anthony Perkins, the actor most famous for his role as ‘Norman Bates’ in Psycho, lived a life marked by personal struggles. From hiding his s*xuality to succumbing to a fatal illness and passing on the tragic death date to his wife, Anthony’s life has been a heart-wrenching rollercoaster. His life story is being revisited due to the success of the latest Netflix release, Monster: The Ed Gein Story. It is based on the life and gruesome crimes of Edward ‘Ed’ Gein, who is also considered to be the inspiration behind Anthony’s most popular movie, Psycho.
Anthony Perkins’ rise to fame and being typecast
Born in 1932 to actor, Osgood Perkins and Janet Esselstyn Rane Perkins, Anthony Perkins was a rising Hollywood star known for his boyish charm. The actor and director is best known for his iconic portrayal of the serial killer ‘Norman Bates’ in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 thriller, Psycho, and its sequels. He was a versatile actor, first rising to prominence as a romantic leading man and teen idol in the 1950s. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1956 film, Friendly Persuasion.
Anthony also had a brief career as a singer and was active on Broadway, earning Tony Award nominations. In 1960, he landed the career-defining role of ‘Norman Bates’ in Psycho. Though the role made him an icon of the psychological horror genre, it also typecast him for the rest of his career. After the initial success, he sought to escape the shadow of the character by working in Europe. However, he eventually reprised the role in three sequels: Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986), which he also directed, and Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990).
Anthony Perkins’ life struggles and untimely death
Being open about one’s sexual orientation was not an easy task back in the 70s, and so was the case for Anthony Perkins. He concealed his homos*xuality for decades due to Hollywood’s intolerance during that era. However, he had been in relationships with men, including actor, Tab Hunter and dancer, Grover Dale. None of them lasted, and he eventually opted for a spousal life with a woman. In 1972, at the age of 40, Anthony met photographer and actress, Berry Berenson. They quickly bonded and got married within a year, in 1973.
The couple then welcomed two sons, actor-director, Oz Perkins (born 1974) and musician, Elvis Perkins (born 1976). Despite speculations that Anthony and Berry’s union wouldn’t last, they remained married until his death. Anthony died from AIDS-related pneumonia on September 12, 1992, at the age of 60. The actor kept his diagnosis private for several years. He reportedly learned about his condition from a tabloid story. The National Enquirer had illegally obtained and tested a blood sample that Anthony gave for an examination of a facial palsy.
After Anthony Perkins, his wife met with a tragic end
Anthony Perkins’ wife, Berry Berenson, died in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. She was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11 when it was hijacked and crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The tragedy occurred almost exactly nine years after Anthony Perkins himself had passed away from complications related to AIDS. Berry’s name is inscribed on the National September 11 Memorial at the North Pool, Panel N-76. Thus, Anthony Perkins’ life outside of Hollywood was defined by challenges and suffering.
What are your thoughts on Anthony Perkins tough life, marked by troubles with s*xuality and tragic fate of his partner? Let us know.
Also Read: Was Adeline Watkins Ed Gein’s Girlfriend? Netflix’s ‘Monster’ Cast Compared To Real Character