Perry King

Perry Firestone King was born on April 30, 1948, in Alliance, Ohio. He pursued a degree in drama from Yale University and furthered his studies at the Juilliard School and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. His acting career began in the early 1970s, with his film debut in the 1972 movie “Slaughterhouse-Five.” He then appeared as Chico Tyrell in “The Lords of Flatbush” in 1974 and as Hammond Maxwell in “Mandingo” in 1975. Beyond his on-screen work, King also lent his voice to radio adaptations, notably portraying Han Solo in the radio series for “Star Wars” and its sequels, a role he had originally auditioned for in the film adaptation.

King gained broader recognition in television during the 1980s, earning a Golden Globe nomination in 1984 for his role in the TV movie “The Hasty Heart.” The same year, he took on the main role of Cody Allen in the television series “Riptide,” a crime drama that ran from 1984 to 1986. His career continued with various roles in television movies and series throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Key television appearances include Hayley Armstrong in “Melrose Place” in 1995 and Richard Williams in the NBC series “Titans” in 2000. He also portrayed the President of the United States in the 2004 film “The Day After Tomorrow.”

In addition to his acting, King has ventured into directing, notably directing an episode of “Riptide” in 1986 and the 2018 film “The Divide,” in which he also starred as Sam Kincaid. His commitment to diverse projects is evident in his guest appearances on shows such as “Spin City,” “Will & Grace,” “Eve,” and “Cold Case.” An avid motorcyclist, King was appointed to the American Motorcyclist Association’s Board of Directors in December 2008, reflecting his interests outside of his professional acting and directing roles.