From Harvard Law To Horror Maestro: Where Is Anthony Perkins' Son, 'Dorky David' From Legally Blonde, Now?

The name Osgood "Oz" Perkins might not immediately ring a bell for fans of early 2000s comedy, but his face is instantly recognizable as the perpetually awkward Harvard Law student, David Kidney, in the iconic film Legally Blonde. What many viewers don't realize is that "Dorky David" is the son of Hollywood royalty—specifically, the legendary actor Anthony Perkins, best known as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. As of today, December 10, 2025, Oz Perkins has completely redefined his career, moving from a quirky supporting actor to one of the most exciting and talked-about directors in the modern horror genre, a fascinating and fitting twist given his father's cinematic legacy.

This deep dive explores the extraordinary life and career of Osgood Perkins, tracing his path from a childhood steeped in Hollywood history to his memorable, albeit brief, appearance alongside Reese Witherspoon, and finally, to his current status as a critically acclaimed filmmaker whose recent work, particularly the blockbuster horror film Longlegs, has captivated audiences and critics alike. His story is one of a profound family legacy, personal tragedy, and a masterful pivot into the dark side of cinema, proving that the son of Norman Bates truly inherited a knack for the unsettling.

Osgood "Oz" Perkins: Biography & The Tragic Hollywood Legacy

Osgood Robert Perkins II, known professionally as Oz Perkins, was born on February 2, 1974, in New York City.

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His lineage is one of Hollywood's most complex and compelling tales, directly connecting him to two major figures in 20th-century arts and culture: his father, Anthony Perkins, and his mother, Berry Berenson.

Anthony Perkins, Oz's father, was an Academy Award-nominated actor whose performance as the deeply disturbed Norman Bates in Psycho (1960) remains one of cinema's defining psychological thrillers.

His mother, Berry Berenson, was a renowned photographer and actress, and the sister of actress Marisa Berenson.

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Oz is the elder of two sons; his younger brother is Elvis Perkins, a respected folk-rock singer-songwriter, who also works in the arts.

The Perkins family faced immense tragedy early on. Anthony Perkins passed away in 1992 at the age of 60 due to complications from AIDS.

Just nine years later, the family was struck by another devastating loss when Berry Berenson tragically died on September 11, 2001, as a passenger on American Airlines Flight 11, the plane that crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

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This profound and public loss of both parents in such a short and traumatic period is a critical, though often overlooked, part of Oz Perkins' life story, and one that some critics argue informs the themes of grief and isolation in his later directorial work.

From "Dorky David Kidney" to Cult Film Actor

Before stepping behind the camera to direct, Oz Perkins pursued a career as an actor, accumulating a surprisingly diverse and memorable filmography that often leaned toward the quirky or unsettling, a clear thematic connection to his father's work.

His acting debut came early, appearing uncredited as a young Norman Bates in Psycho II (1983).

He followed this with notable supporting roles in critically acclaimed films such as Six Degrees of Separation (1993) and the controversial, dark comedy Secretary (2002), starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader.

However, for a generation of moviegoers, his most recognizable role is undoubtedly David Kidney in the 2001 smash hit Legally Blonde.

David Kidney is introduced as one of Elle Woods' (Reese Witherspoon) more awkward classmates at Harvard Law School, who struggles to fit in with the highly competitive environment.

The character is the antithesis of the film's polished, high-achieving student body—a figure of nervous energy and social ineptitude, memorably asking Elle to join a study group with a line that cemented his "dorky" status.

While a minor role, his performance was a key component of the film’s charm, highlighting the fish-out-of-water dynamic between Elle and her new Ivy League peers.

This early phase of his career, which also included a role in the parody film Not Another Teen Movie (2001), established Perkins as a reliable character actor, often drawn to projects with a distinctive, off-kilter sensibility.

The New Master of Modern Horror: Directing Longlegs and Beyond

The true turning point in Oz Perkins' career came when he transitioned from acting to writing and directing, a move that has established him as a major voice in contemporary horror cinema.

His directorial style is characterized by a focus on atmospheric tension, slow-burn psychological dread, and unsettling imagery, often eschewing jump scares for a deeper, more pervasive sense of unease.

His debut feature, The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015), starring Emma Roberts and Kiernan Shipka, immediately garnered critical praise for its chilling, minimalist approach to satanic horror, establishing his signature aesthetic.

This was followed by the gothic ghost story I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) and the visually stunning, dark fairy tale adaptation Gretel & Hansel (2020), further solidifying his reputation within the genre.

However, it is his 2024 film, Longlegs, that has catapulted Oz Perkins into the mainstream spotlight.

The mystery horror film, starring Maika Monroe as an FBI agent pursuing a serial killer (played by Nicolas Cage), became a massive box office success and a cultural phenomenon, praised for its unique visual style, intense atmosphere, and effective use of cryptic, cult-like iconography.

Critics and fans have drawn parallels between the psychological terror in Longlegs and the classic suspense of his father's defining film, Psycho, suggesting that Oz has inherited a profound understanding of how to manipulate audience fear and expectation.

His work on Longlegs has been hailed as a masterclass in building dread, showcasing his maturity as a filmmaker and his ability to craft a truly unique cinematic experience.

Perkins' upcoming projects, including the horror film The Monkey, based on a Stephen King short story, promise to keep him at the forefront of the horror landscape for the foreseeable future, making him one of the most exciting directors working today.

The Echo of Norman Bates: A Legacy Embraced

The journey of Osgood Perkins—from the son of Anthony Perkins to "Dorky David" in a sunny comedy to a celebrated director of dark, psychological horror—is a compelling narrative of a creative identity forged in the shadow of a famous, and famously unsettling, legacy.

Instead of running from the connection to Norman Bates and the horror genre, Oz Perkins has embraced it, channeling his family's history into a unique and powerful artistic vision. His decision to delve into the genre that defined his father's career feels less like an imitation and more like a profound, generational conversation about trauma, performance, and the terrifying depths of the human psyche.

While his early acting career, including his role in Legally Blonde, remains a fun footnote, his current work as a director—particularly the success of Longlegs—is where his true legacy is being written. Oz Perkins has successfully stepped out of his father's shadow, not by becoming a different kind of actor, but by becoming a different kind of master in the same dark realm of cinema.