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Ron Perlman
Ron Perlman 2022 (cropped).jpg
Perlman in 2022
Born
Ronald Perlman

(1950-04-13) April 13, 1950 (age 74)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Education
Occupation Actor
Years active 1975–present
Works
Full list
Spouse(s)
Opal Stone
(m. 1981; div. 2019)
Allison Dunbar
(m. 2022)
Children 2, including Delroy Edwards

Ronald Perlman (born April 13, 1950) is an American actor. His credits include the roles of Amoukar in Quest for Fire (1981), Salvatore in The Name of the Rose (1986), Vincent in the television series Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990), for which he won a Golden Globe Award, One in The City of Lost Children (1995), Johner in Alien Resurrection (1997), Hellboy in both Hellboy (2004) and its sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), Clay Morrow in the television series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2013), Nino in Drive (2011) and Benedict Drask in Don't Look Up (2021). As a known collaborator of Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro, he has had roles in the del Toro films Cronos (1993), Blade II (2002), Pacific Rim (2013), Nightmare Alley (2021), and Pinocchio (2022).

Perlman has also had a prolific career as a voice actor, including the narrator of the post-apocalyptic game series Fallout (1997–present), Clayface in the DC Animated Universe (1992-2003), Slade in Teen Titans (2003–2006), Mr. Lancer in Danny Phantom (2004–2007), Lord Hood in the video games Halo 2 (2004) and Halo 3 (2007), the Stabbington brothers in Tangled (2010), The Lich in Adventure Time (2011–2017) and its spinoff Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (2023), Xibalba in The Book of Life (2014) and Optimus Primal in both the Transformers: Power of the Primes (2018) animated series, and the film Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023).

Early life

Perlman was born on April 13, 1950, in Washington Heights, New York City. His mother, Dorothy (née Rosen), was a municipal employee, and his father, Bertram "Bert" Perlman, was a jazz drummer and television repairman. His family is Jewish, originally from Hungary and Poland, and Perlman had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

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 stated this experience is something that attracts him to roles where he portrays "these sorts of deformed people who are very endearing." Perlman had a "very close" relationship with his father, who convinced his son he "had to" pursue a career as an actor after seeing him perform in a college production of Guys and Dolls. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1967 and Lehman College in 1971. He later attended the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a master's degree in theater arts in 1973.

Career

Film and television

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Perlman at the 41st Primetime Emmy Awards in September 1989

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 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. He got another leading film role in 2004 when he played the title role in the comic book adaptation Hellboy. 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 also played Wes Chandler in the second and third seasons of StartUp in 2017–18.

In 2022 Perlman starred in Steven Brand's noir thriller Joe Baby alongside Dichen Lachman, Willa Fitzgerald and Harvey Keitel.

Voice-over work

Ron Perlman by Gage Skidmore 2
Perlman at the San Diego Comic Con in July 2011

Perlman also has a successful career as a voice actor. He has portrayed characters in numerous video games and animated series, and done voice-over work for television commercials. These include Casper High English teacher and vice-principal Mr. Lancer in Danny Phantom, "Mickey Kaline" in Hey Arnold!, The Lich in Adventure Time, Kurtis Stryker in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Justice in Afro Samurai and 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 (the former in which he reprised his role as Clayface as well as voice Orion), 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. In addition, he served as the narrator for 1000 Ways To Die.

His video game credits include 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. In Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2016), Perlman offered his likeness and voice to one of the lead playable characters in the game's popular Zombies mode.

Perlman has also provided narration for a number of audiobooks, including City of Thieves by David Benioff. Perlman also does narration in the UFC's cold open promos for pay-per-view events.

Personal life

Perlman married Opal Stone, an Afro-Jamaican jewelry designer, on February 14, 1981 and they had two children together: daughter Blake Amanda (b. 1984) and son Brandon Avery (b. 1990). They separated in May 2019 and Perlman later filed for divorce. On June 28, 2022, it was announced that Perlman married his StartUp co-star Allison Dunbar in Italy after three years of dating. His son Brandon produces electronic music under the stage name Delroy Edwards.

Perlman described himself as a lifelong Democrat in November 2016. He has been a vocal critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

On November 9, 2016, Perlman announced via Facebook his intention to run for U.S. President in the 2020 election. In January 2019, he endorsed the candidacy of Kamala Harris. Perlman spoke in support of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and criticized an executive from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers who said that the association should delay negotiations with striking workers until they began to lose their homes.

Filmography

Live-action roles

Film

Key
Not yet released Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1981 Quest for Fire Amoukar Nominated—Genie Award for Best Performance by a Foreign Actor
1984 The Ice Pirates Zeno
1986 The Name of the Rose Salvatore
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
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
The Protector Dr. Ramsey Krago
1998 I Woke Up Early the Day I Died Cemetery Caretaker
Frogs for Snakes Gascone
Betty Donnie Shank
1999 Happy, Texas Marshal Nalhober
2000 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
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 Acme VP of Never Learning
2004 Comic Book: The Movie Himself Cameo
Direct-to-DVD
Hellboy Hellboy
Quiet Kill Detective Sergeant Perry
2005 The Second Front General von Binding
Missing in America Red
2006 Local Color Curtis Sunday
How to Go Out on a Date in Queens Vito
The Last Winter Ed Pollack Nominated—Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Five Girls Father Drake
2007 In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale Norick
2008 Uncross the Stars Bobby Walden
Hellboy II: The Golden Army Hellboy Nominated—Scream Award for Best Fantasy Actor
Nominated—Scream Award for Best Superhero
Outlander Gunnar
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
2010 Killer by Nature Dr. Julian
Acts of Violence Priest Bill
Bunraku Nicola
Season of the Witch Felson
2011 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 ... Mayor Williams
The Punisher: Dirty Laundry Big Mike Short film
Crave Pete
3,2,1... Frankie Go Boom Phil
2013 Pacific Rim Hannibal Chau
2014 The Virginian Judge Henry Direct-to-DVD
Tbilisi, I Love You American motorcyclist
13 Sins Chilcoat
Before I Disappear Bill
Kid ... Barry Lerner
Dermaphoria Anslinger
Skin Trade Viktor Dragovic Direct-to-DVD
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
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Gnarlack (motion capture)
2017 All Nighter N/A Executive producer
Sergio and Sergei Peter Also executive producer
Pottersville Sheriff Jack Also producer
2018 To Dust N/A Producer
The Escape of Prisoner 614 The Sheriff Also executive producer
Asher Asher Also producer
2019 The Great War General Pershing
Run with the Hunted Birdie Also executive producer
Hell on the Border Charlie Storm
2020 Havana Kyrie Henry
Clover Mr. Wiley
The Big Ugly Preston Also executive producer
Monster Hunter Admiral
2021 This Game's Called Murder Mr. Wallendorf
The Last Victim Sheriff Hickey
Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster Himself Documentary
Nightmare Alley Bruno
Don't Look Up Benedict Drask Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2022 There Are No Saints Sans
The Retirement Plan Not yet released Lieutenant Bobo Post-production
TBA The Baker Not yet released TBA Post-production
How I Got There Not yet released The Merc Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1979 Ryan's Hope Dr. Bernie Marx 2 episodes
1985 The Fall Guy Thug Episode: "Split Image"
1985 Our Family Honor Bausch Episode: "Pilot", "Split Image"
1985 MacGruder and Loud Attorney Episode: "The Very Scary Man"
1986 The Insiders Episode: "Den of Thieves"
1986 Miami Vice John Ruger Episode: "Walk-Alone"
1987–1990 Beauty and the Beast Vincent 55 episodes
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)
1992 Blind Man's Bluff Frank Cerrillo Television film
1993 The Untouchables Snake Episode: "Railroaded"
1993 Arly Hanks Jim-Bob Buchanan Television film
1994 The Cisco Kid Lt. Colonel Delacroix Television film
1995 Picture Windows Gambler Episode: "Lightning"
1995 Original Sins Chas Bradley Television film
1995 Mr. Stitch Doctor Frederick Texarian Television film
1995 The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space Lord Vox of Vestron Television film
1996 Highlander: The Series The Messenger Episode: "The Messenger"
1997 Tracey Takes On... Stuart Episode: "Secrets"
1997 Perversions of Science 40132 Episode: "The Exile"
1997 The Second Civil War Alan Manieski Television film
1998–2000 The Magnificent Seven Josiah Sanchez 22 episodes
1998 The Outer Limits Lt. Colonel Brandon Grace Episode: "Black Box"
1998 A Town Has Turned to Dust Jerry Paul Television film
1998 Houdini Booking Agent Television film
1999 Family Law Roy Episode: "The List"
1999 Supreme Sanction The Director Television film
1999 Primal Force Frank Brodie Television film
2000 Operation Sandman Dr. Harlan Jessup Television film
2000 The Trial of Old Drum Charles Burden Sr. Television film
2001 Charmed Mr Kelleman Episode: "Wrestling with Demons"
2001 The Tick Fiery Blaze Episode: "Couples"
2006 Masters of Horror Dwayne Burcell 1 episode
2006 Stephen King's Desperation Collie Entragian Television film
2008–2013 Sons of Anarchy Clay Morrow 75 episodes
2014–2017 Hand of God Judge Pernell Harris 20 episodes; also executive producer
2015 The Blacklist Luther Braxton 2 episodes
2016 Maron Mel 2 episodes
2017–2018 StartUp Wes Chandler 20 episodes
2019 Splitting Up Together Brock Episode: "Welcome Home"
2019–2022 The Capture Frank Napier 10 episodes
2019 Reprisal Big Graham 3 episodes
2020 Reno 911! Episode: "The Return of Diablo"

Voice roles

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Crying Freeman Detective Netah Uncredited
1998 An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island Mr. Grasping Direct-to-DVD
2000 Titan A.E. Sam Tucker
2002 L'Chayim, Comrade Stalin! Narrator Documentary
2005 Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy? Hotep Direct-to-DVD
Tarzan II Kago Direct-to-DVD
2006 Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy! Captain Skunkbeard/Biff Wellington Direct-to-DVD
Hellboy: Sword of Storms Hellboy Direct-to-DVD
2007 Hellboy: Blood and Iron Hellboy Direct-to-DVD
Battle for Terra Elder Vorin
2008 The Spiderwick Chronicles Redcap Uncredited
Spirit of the Forest Oak
2010 Tangled The Stabbington Brothers
The Legend of Secret Pass Parker
2011 The Littlest Angel God Direct-to-DVD
2012 The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America Gene Krupa Documentary
2013 Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Slade Wilson/Deathstroke Direct-to-DVD
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Polyphemus
2014 The Book of Life Xibalba
2016 Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom Shoggoth Direct-to-DVD
2017 Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom Shoggoth Direct-to-DVD
2018 The Steam Engines of Oz Magnus Direct-to-DVD
2019 Go Fish Bernardo Direct-to-DVD
2022 Pinocchio Podesta Post-production
Heroes of the Golden Masks Kunyi Post-production
2023 Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Optimus Primal Post-production
TBA RoboDog Marshall Post-production
Saurus City Slade Kolssus Post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1992–1993 Batman: The Animated Series Matt Hagen / Clayface 4 episodes
1993–1994 Bonkers Sergeant Francis Q. Grating 17 episodes
1993 Animaniacs Satan / Sgt. Sweete 2 episodes
1994 Aladdin Arbutus / General Gouda 3 episodes
1994 Mighty Max Goar Episode: "Tar Wars"
1994 The Little Mermaid Apollo Episode: "Heroes"
1994–1995 Phantom 2040 Graft 22 episodes
1995 Tiny Toon Adventures Mr. Scratch Episode: "Night Ghoulery"
1995 Fantastic Four Wizard, Bruce Banner / Hulk 2 episodes
1996 Iron Man Dr. Bruce Banner / The Hulk Episode: "Hulk Buster"
1996 Wing Commander Academy Daimon Karnes 2 episodes
1996 Duckman Roland Thompson Episode: "They Craved Duckman's Brain!"
1996 Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm Kurtis Stryker / Scorpion 13 episodes
1996, 1998 Hey Arnold! Mickey Kaline 2 episodes
1997–1999 Superman: The Animated Series Jax-Ur 3 episodes
1997–1998 The New Batman Adventures Clayface 2 episodes
1998 Godzilla Leviathan Alien / Ship Captain Episode: "Leviathan"
1999 Men in Black: The Series Drekk / Javkor Episode: "The Puppy Love Syndrome"
2000 The Wild Thornberrys Wild Horse Episode: "Horse Sense"
2000 Jackie Chan Adventures Karl Episode: "Shell Game"
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Leader Episode: "Haunted Moon"
2001 The Legend of Tarzan Colonel Nikolas Rokoff Episode: "Tarzan and the Lost Treasure"
2003 Static Shock Dr. Koenig / Heavyman Episode: "The Parent Trap"
2003 Justice League Clayface / Orion 4 episodes
2003–2006 Teen Titans Slade 17 episodes
2004–2007 Danny Phantom Vice Principal Mr. Lancer 23 episodes
2005 What's New, Scooby-Doo? Russian Inspector / Joe / Frozen Fiend Episode: "Diamonds Are a Ghouls Best Friend"
2005–2008 The Batman Killer Croc / Bane / Rumor 4 episodes
2006 Justice League Unlimited Orion Episode: "Flash and Substance"
2007 Afro Samurai Justice English dub
2 episodes
2007 Kim Possible Warhawk 2 episodes
2007 Avatar: The Last Airbender Firelord Sozin Episode: "The Avatar and the Firelord"
2008–2010 Chowder Arbor / Man 3 episodes
2008–2012 1000 Ways to Die Narrator 45 episodes
2009 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Gha Nachkt 2 episodes
2009 Robot Chicken Tony Stark / Handyballs Episode: "Tell My Mom"
2010, 2014 Archer Ramon Limon 2 episodes
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Doctor Double X Episode: "A Bat Divided!"
2011–2012
2020
American Dad! Monster Hunter / Colonel / Fang / Bandit 4 episodes
2011–2017 Adventure Time The Lich 10 episodes
2012 DC Nation Shorts Slade / Alfred Pennyworth 3 episodes
2013 Green Lantern: The Animated Series Sinestro Episode: "Prisoner of Sinestro"
2015 SuperMansion Blazar 2 episodes
2015–2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Armaggon 3 episodes
2016 Turbo FAST Darryl Episode: "Keep on Truckin'"
2016–2017 Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia Bular 12 episodes
2017, 2019 Tangled: The Series The Stabbington Brothers 3 episodes
2018–2019 Final Space John Goodspeed 6 episodes
2018 Transformers: Power of the Primes Optimus Primal 7 episodes
2021 Adventure Time: Distant Lands The Lich Episode: "Together Again"

Video games

Year Title Voice role Notes
1994 The Adventures of Batman & Robin Clayface Uncredited
1995 Chronomaster Rene Korda
1997 Fallout Butch Harris / Narrator
1998 Fallout 2 Narrator
2001 Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter Wylfdene
2001 Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel Narrator
2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Matt Hagen / Clayface
2003 True Crime: Streets of LA Misha, additional voices
2003 Lords of EverQuest Lord Skass
2004 The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay Jagger Valance
2004 Halo 2 Lord Hood
2005 Gun Mayor Hoodoo Brown
2005 Narc Chief Ed Kowalski
2005 The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction Emil Blonsky / The Abomination
2005 The Outfit Tommy Mac
2006 Teen Titans Slade
2006 Justice League Heroes Bruce Wayne / Batman
2007 Halo 3 Lord Hood
2007 Conan Conan the Barbarian
2008 Turok Slade
2008 Hellboy: The Science of Evil Hellboy
2008 Fallout 3 Narrator
2009 Afro Samurai Justice English dub
2009 Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X 2 Dagger
2010 Fallout: New Vegas Narrator
2010 Tangled: The Video Game Stabbington Brother
2014 Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff Himself
2015 Call of Duty: Black Ops III Floyd Campbell
2015 Fallout 4 Anchorman
2016 Payday 2 Rust
2016 Lego Dimensions Gnarlack / The Lich
2018 Fallout 76 The Speaker
2020 West of Dead William Mason

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
1977 Sunset D.J. Rollins Studio Arena Theater
1979–1980 Teibele and Her Demon Beadle Treitel Brooks Atkinson Theatre
1984 La Tragedie de Carmen Lillas Pastia Lincoln Center
1990 Self Storage Cliff Odyssey Theatre
1990–1991 A Few Good Men Lt. Colonel Nathan Jessep Music Box Theatre
1991 Love Letters Andrew Canon Theatre
1996 Bus Stop Dr. Gerald Lyman Circle in the Square Theatre

Books

Year Title
2014 Easy Street (the Hard Way): A Memoir

See also

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