Jeff Perry inducted into Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame
Perry has starred in TV series Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and My So-Called Life
PEORIA (25News Now) -Actor and Illinois native Jeff Perry was inducted into the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Jeff Perry is best known for his acting roles as Cyrus Beene on Scandal, Thatcher Grey on Grey’s Anatomy, and Richard Katimski on My So-Called Life.
Taking place at the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, the Illinois Broadcasters Association presents the award to broadcasters who started their careers in Illinois or were born in the state. Perry joins Illinois greats such as Oprah Winfrey, Dick Van Dyke, and Jane Lynch, who was inducted in 2022.
Perry, raised in Highland Park, started his acting career in middle school when his sister took him to a play audition with the American Conservatory Theater, landing a five-minute non-speaking role.
Years later, during high school, he starred in his school’s production of West Side Story, where his love for theater was born, and he credits a teacher for what would become his lifetime passion.
“This was a teacher; she gave us every kind of fundamental value you’d want, ‘You guys, this is a collaborative art, this is teamwork, this is the love of story, and this is the love of doing honor to that story,” said Perry.
As a student at Illinois State University, Perry co-founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company with Gary Sinise and Terry Kinney, where they later transitioned the company to Chicago.
Perry soon took on roles in Nash Bridges, My So-Called Life, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Inventing Anna.
He tells his younger self as he reflects on his career and advises, “Everybody’s got their path, and yours is yours, it is going to have ups and downs, " said Perry. “Envy and jealousy were a big life lesson; I probably had to go through it and learn from it.”
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