Frank Perry Biography

Frank Perry was as an American director whose works include the films ‘David and Lisa,’ ‘Diary of a Mad Housewife’ and ‘Mommie Dearest.’ He studied directing under the renowned director, Lee Strasberg, and applied what he learned in his debut, the independently made film ‘David and Lisa’ for which he garnered the Academy Award nomination for best director. Perry developed a passion for theatre as a young man and took up a job as a parking inspector for Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut. In the ensuing years, he worked as a stage manager and produced numerous plays at the Playhouse before moving into television and films. A veteran of the Korean War, Perry also served in the American military before making his directorial debut in 1962 with ‘David and Lisa’ whose screenplay was written by his first wife, Eleanor. He had been married thrice in his life. In August 1995, Perry died of prostate cancer, just eight days after his 65th birthday.