Jonathan Perpich

Jonathan Perpich – JP Perpich Bio 2025

JP “JP” Perpich spent his youth in San Diego, and became a resident of Los Angeles when he chose to attend UCLA. He studied Theater and Film Arts and graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors in 1981. While earning his degree, he studied under several accomplished and highly respected professors (including Academy Award winning director Michael Gordon), and was the recipient of several prestigious acting awards. In 1977, he took a break from his studies to help Rudy Solari construct and develop the Solari Theater Ensemble (now known as the Canon Theater). Later that year, he returned to his hometown to form The Del Mar Centre Players where he directed a season of successful theatrical productions. In the winter of 1979, he moved to Park City, Utah where he taught acting, and produced and directed two shows that ran through the spring.
JP then returned to UCLA and graduated in 1981. After completing college, he apprenticed under Academy Award winning producer, Julia Phillips (The Sting, Close Encounters of the Third Kind) while under contract to 20th Century Fox and MGM. JP has never lost his love nor his focus for acting, and has studied with such respected teachers as Stella Adler, Larry Moss, Delia Salvi and Darryl Hickman, while continuing to develop his directing skills. He has appeared in several television productions, including The Golden Girls, Matlock, Riptide, Island Son, Top of the Hill, China Beach and had featured roles in both Eight is Enough reunion shows and Hostage Flight. His big break came in 1987 when Steven J. Cannell awarded JP the starring role in his new series, “The Last Precinct”. Along with acting and directing, writing has always been a passion for JP, and he was rewarded for his dedication when Dolly Parton read some of his work and hired him as a lyricist in 1986. Since then, he has written several dozen songs, three screenplays, and collaborated on fifty episodes of a long running Canadian television series titled Secret Lives.
In the summer of 1985, JP met he future wife and partner, Geri Gain – a wonderfully gifted artist and graphic designer. JP was fascinated by her work, and she soon began to teach him about her craft. In the late 1980’s, they established a graphic design studio – Advanced Design Group. As the company grew, so did the rapid shift toward the “desktop revolution”. Both Geri and JP quickly realized that, in order to stay in business, they would have to keep up with this new and exploding technology. While Geri handled the bulk of the design and production tasks, JP immersed himself in classes, seminars and software manuals. Soon thereafter, friends and business associates began to approach them for help and advice. It wasn’t long before JP added Computer Consultant to his growing list of job titles. JP combined his experience in the entertainment industry with his knowledge of computer graphics when he got in on the ground floor of “non-linear editing” – computer-based video. He has worked with, and taught others to use many of the tools currently being used in the industry. These tools included 3D, compositing and editing software, as well as DV technology and production techniques. Most recently, JP has written several scripts.
JP struggled with drug addiction and alcoholism for many years after college. In 2000 he went to treatment in Los Angeles and has been clean and sober ever since.
In 2003 JP moved to Prescott, Arizona and 2005 (shortly after his beloved father Chuck – long time teacher at Kearny High School – passed) he moved to Prescott, Arizona, bought a piece of property and built the house in which he currently lives. He quickly became involved in the local theater scene and was cast in over 30 theatrical productions.
JP landed a job as a computer graphics teacher at a charter school then moved on become a graphic designer and production artist in the publishing industry for several years. Then he found a job the recovery field helping addicts and alcoholics. After 10 years of service he retired. 3 years later, a friend and fellow addict asked him to come back and do groups for him. Today, he does 5 groups a week for Wolf Creek Recovery.
In 2016 JP met the love of his life – Cynthia – who was a stand-up comic and television writer. She brought her remarkable daughter Lucy to the relationship. In 2019 he married Cynthia. She taught at a local high school for several years and recently moved to an administrative position helping young men and women prepare for their professional lives.
JP has experienced poverty and wealth. Today, he considers himself to be the richest man alive. His life is full and joyful beyond his wildest dreams. Recently, he checked off one of his bucket list items – making a film. He recently finished making “Starfish”, a film about a young heroin addict who comes to treatment, meets a man who is assigned to be his Treatment Coordinator and spends less than 20 minutes with this kid, hoping to help him through his pain. The young man leaves treatment that night, relapses, goes through hell, then begins to rebuild his life. 2 years later he sends the Treatment Coordinator a card recounting what was said to him and what it meant to his recovery. He shares that he is now married and has recently become a father to a son whom he has named after the man who helped that one day so long ago.
JP checked off one of the other items on his bucket list – seeing the Northern Lights. He hopes to experience the third – visiting Italy and Greece in the coming year.
Among his favorite memories at Kearny are winning the CIF championship in his senior year, being introduced to drama by Jack Winans, winning Speaker of the City, “Death of a Salesman” and “Hamlet”, the Manzanitians (those of you who were part of this group will remember), life-impacting teachers (including his father) and great friends.

Jonathan “JP” Perpich