Elizabeth Perkins biography
Date of birth : 1960-11-18
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Queens, New York, USA
Nationality : American
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2023-10-18
Credited as : Actress, About Last Night, Big, The Flintstones, Screen Actors Guild, Broadway debut
1 votes so far
Elizabeth Perkins: A Versatile Career from Film to Television
Elizabeth Perkins was born on November 18, 1960, in Queens, New York. Raised on a farm outside Brattleboro, Vermont, she developed her outgoing personality at an early age. After attending Northfield Mount Herman boarding school and the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University in Chicago, she graduated with a BFA in Acting in 1981, where she became involved in local theater productions, including a run with the prestigious Steppenwolf Theater.
Onstage and Off-Broadway Beginnings
Perkins moved to New York and began building her acting resume with performances at off-off Broadway venues, such as the experimental theater La Mama ETC. Her first big break came in 1983 when she joined the touring company of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," debuting on Broadway the following year.
Film Debut and Breakthrough
In 1986, Perkins made her film debut in "About Last Night..." alongside Demi Moore, quickly gaining recognition for her scene-stealing role as Joan. Her witty and energetic performance was a standout, setting the stage for a successful film career.
Throughout the late '80s, Elizabeth Perkins starred alongside some of the era's most prominent actors in films like "From the Hip" (1987), "Sweet Hearts Dance" (1988), and "Big" (1988), where she portrayed a buttoned-up business executive transformed by Tom Hanks. Her talent and versatility were consistently acknowledged by critics and audiences.
Transition to Television
Despite her success on the big screen, Perkins shifted to television movies in the early '90s. She took on various roles, including the live-action adaptation of "The Flintstones" and "Miracle on 34th Street" in 1994. However, her work in television movies temporarily took precedence.
After a return to the stage with "Four Dogs and a Bone" in 1995, Perkins continued to work in television, with appearances in TV features and miniseries such as "From the Earth to the Moon." She also starred in feature films like "I'm Losing You" and "28 Days."
Transition to Series Television
In 2000, Elizabeth Perkins took her first step into series television, playing the captain of a police precinct in "Battery Park." Although the show was short-lived, she continued her steady schedule of TV films and supporting roles in feature films.
The "Weeds" Era
Perkins's career reached new heights when she co-led the Showtime series "Weeds" as Celia Hodes, a suburban PTA mom who becomes intertwined with a marijuana-dealing best friend. Her performance earned critical acclaim, with Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress in 2006 and 2007. The series also received recognition from the Screen Actors Guild.
Elizabeth Perkins maintained her successful career, taking on supporting roles in films like "Must Love Dogs," "Finding Nemo," and "All I Want." Her versatile talents, from film to television, have solidified her status as a respected and celebrated actress.
