John Bennett Perry (born January 4 1941) is an American actor. He has appeared in numerous films and television programs, including Independence Day, George of the Jungle, The West Wing, L.A. Law, Days of our Lives, 240-Robert and Magnum P.I..
Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, the son of Maria Schaefer (née Bennett) and Alton L. Perry. He has married twice. His first wife was Suzanne Perry Morrison (a former press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau), with whom he is father of actor Matthew Perry, born August 19, 1969, known for portraying Chandler Bing on Friends. Perry and Suzanne divorced before Matthew's first birthday. He also has a daughter, Mia Perry, born 1986, with his second and current wife, Debbie.
He appeared alongside his son in the 1997 movie Fools Rush In and in the episode "My Unicorn" of the sitcom Scrubs. He also appeared in an episode of Friends (The One with Rachel's New Dress), playing the father of Rachel's boyfriend, Joshua. Perry is also known for playing the clean-shaven "sailor" in the Old Spice commercials of the 1970s and 1980s.
John Bennett Perry has enjoyed a diverse and successful career that spans over the last few decades. Born a natural entertainer in Williamstown, Massachussetts, he started a band with his brother Tony and enjoyed local success. His acting roots were firmly planted in New York where he starred in many Broadway plays and musicals. Splitting time on both coasts, he appeared in numerous commercials, and became easily recognizable as the "Old Spice" sailor in the seventies. John went on to appear in a long list of dramatic and comedic features using both his sarcastic wit and emotional depth to gain fans of moviegoers and critics everywhere. In 1988 he won a Western Heritage Award for his work on the television drama Independence. John enjoys working with his son, Matthew Perry, and has played his father in the film Fools Rush In and the television show Scrubs. He also enjoys touring with his folk/country/comedy band "The Ojai Boys." He lives in Ojai with his wife Debbie, two dogs, a couple of horses and about five chickens.
