Advocate Life Stories: Anthony Perkins

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Paramount groomed him to replace the late James Dean and become Hollywood’s hottest heartthrob. However, his landmark performance as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho transformed that trajectory, creating an image of Anthony Perkins that mirrored his conflicted, fractured off-screen life. This insightful and comprehensive biography documents the life of this great actor, who was forced to portray a ladies’ man while privately grappling with his homosexuality and searching for acceptance. Newly revised and updated for its tenth anniversary, this work offers a harrowing look at life in the Hollywood closet and presents a poignant human drama that will alter your perception of Perkins forever. Critics praise it as riveting, highlighting the author’s ability to illuminate the hidden corners of Hollywood’s golden age and the dark history of homosexuality. The narrative captivates readers, revealing a complex figure that many may have overlooked. It serves as an important chronicle of a time when being gay was a taboo, particularly in an industry that thrived on illusion and deception. This biography is a compelling exploration of both Perkins' life and the cultural context in which he lived.