JEFF PERRY

Photograph by VICTOR SKREBNESKI

BIO BITS

Born on August 16, 1954

Married to Linda Lowey, Casting Director

Children: Two Daughters - Zoe (from first marriage) and Leah

Co-founding member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company with Terry Kinney and Gary Sinise

Film Credits include Into Thin Air, Wild Things, Lansky, and Hard Promises

Played Inspector Harvey Leek on Nash Bridges (CBS) for six seasons

Grew up in Chicago, Illinois and now lives in LA

Profession: Actor and Drama Instructor

Best Feature: Blue Eyes

Photograph by VICTOR SKREBNESKI

QUOTE: Mottos are annoying and dangerous and should be avoided.

NASH BRIDGES

I first became an admirer of Jeff Perry and his work while I was home from University on Christmas break in the Winter of 1997. Up until this point I had only vaguely heard of Nash Bridges. I knew NB starred Don Johnson and that it was some sort of cop show, but that was all. My younger brother Robert told me, "You should watch this. You'll like it." So if anyone ever teases me about my NB and JP obsessions I tell them it's all my brother's fault!

However, it wasn't until the Fall of 1998 that I really became what you would call a Nash Bridges fan. The episode was "Hot Prowler". I had no idea that Michelle was being written out so her death was a complete shock. It was also the first time I'd seen a major character killed off at the beginning of the season. In the end, there was something about the writing and the characters that had me hooked.

It wasn't long before I knew why. The interaction between Harvey (Jeff Perry) and Evan Cortez (Jamie P. Gomez) had me coming back week after week. The chemistry between these two actors was always entertaining.

Harvey drove this classic Ranchero (above) on Nash Bridges for several years. He was a child of the 60's. It was a symbolic connection to his past, and the many pilgrimages he made to Grateful Dead concerts. Unfortunately, the car died in a hail of bullets when he and Evan were attacked by a group of female commandos. I always felt it was a shame that the producers of the show chose to have Harvey drive more 'commercial' cars in the later seasons. My fellow JP fans may boil me in oil for saying this, but I'm not a fan of the PT Cruiser. To me, the Ranchero fits better with who Harvey is, and how he lives his life.

Although the character of Harvey Leek has now been relegated to the great Syndication Highway, my respect for Jeff Perry and the dedication he brings to every role he tackles will not dissapate.

UNCLE VANYA

SYNOPSIS of UNCLE VANYA: "When a retired professor and his beautiful, young second wife arrive at their remote family estate to settle down, they disrupt the quiet farm life with their city ways. Against a late-summer, country landscape, the inhabitants of the house quickly discover new passions and revisit old loves." (Steppenwolf Studio Theatre)

L-R: Jeff as Dr. Astrov, Sally Murphy as Yelena, and Austin Pendleton as Uncle Vanya.

When I heard that Jeff was going to be on stage in Chicago I jumped at the chance to see him live. His performance as Doctor Astrov had me transfixed from beginning to end. I am not new to theatre, or the power of the written word, but "Uncle Vanya" is truly a magnificent piece. This play, and the many skilled performances of its multi-talented cast members, truly touched me with timely messages about love, loss and the importance of family.

Anton Chekov's drama deals with many problems that humanity is still struggling with today. Characters in his world spend lazy summer days philosophizing and talking to each other about whatever suits them...the professor and his ailments, the fair Yelena, or the Doctor's tree nursery. Thoughts and ideals expressed in this play are as relevant now as they were over a hundred years ago. But "Uncle Vanya" is not strictly a morose drama about the hardships of the heart. Several times I found myself laughing at the wicked absurdity of these colourful characters.

L-R: Austin Pendleton, Rondi Reed as the Nanny and Robert Breuler as Professor Serebtyakov.

Dr. Astrov is the epitomy of someone stuck in middle age. Jeff brings pathos, wit and intellect to this role. While some people may have played Astrov as an object of ridicule, Jeff made him someone who embraces his passions without caring for other people's opinions. One of his passions is the protection of the environment. Dr. Astrov tells anyone who will listen that deforestation will be man's greatest travisty. Checkov's characters brought forth environmental issues long before it was cool or hip.

Doctor Astrov and the Nanny

The set designer, Joseph Wade, also seemed to be inspired by Astrov's desire to protect the environment. Not only did he transform "...the Steppenwolf Studio to great effect, creating a marvelous, strangely luminous box of birch trees on the outside walls and flowered wallpaper inside," * but Wade also included several natural elements in his set decoration. The floors are hardwood when they could have been stone, all the furniture is made from milled or carved wood, and benches sitting outside on the terrace are handcrafted wood when they might have been fashioned out of cool metal.

Arguement could be made that furniture of this era was made from various types of exotic woods, and Wade is merely being true to Russian style, however I believe these choises were made consciously. It is this dedication to detail that makes Steppenwolf productions so unique.

* Quote taken from a review of "Uncle Vanya" printed in the Chicago Sun Times on June 26, 2001. Article was written by Hedy Weiss.

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