JIM PERRY
American game show host Jim Perry found a home on Canadian television
Jim Perry was such a well-loved game shows host in Canada that most people thought he was Canadian.
Perry was actually American – he was born in New Jersey in 1933 as James Dooley. (He took his mother’s maiden name of Perry after a name conflict with AFTRA.) After attending college at the University of Pennsylvania, Jim became a vocalist for the American Special Forces. He also worked in the Catskill Mountains and did comedy before landing his first Canadian hosting gig on “Fractured Phrases” in 1965.
He hosted numerous shows over the next few years including “Headline Hunters” and Miss Canada pageants, where he also sang and danced.
With an impressive resume already under his belt, Perry landed the hosting role on “Definition” in 1975. Airing on CTV for 15 years, it became the longest running game show in Canadian history.
It was also the role Perry became best known for.
“He had an authoritarian presence,” says Bob Boden, a game show developer and executive. “When he was on the screen, you knew he was the MC, the master of ceremonies.”
Howie Mandel, who appeared on “Definition” as a celebrity guest, calls Perry the epitome of smooth and the handsome game show host who had everything under control.
“A game show host is a well-oiled machine but it needs a pilot,” says Mandel.
Perry also juggled hosting two other shows at the same time – “Card Sharks” and “Sale of the Century” on NBC.
A charming, likeable guy, Perry was well known for being a family man. He was also known for giving back to charities both in California and in Canada. He regularly hosted the annual Telemiracle telethon in Saskatchewan that supported the Kinsmen Clubs.
Perry was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and passed away on November 20, 2015 at the age of 82.