Director and actor Oz Perkins has been in the Hollywood news in recent years, but those who have followed him from the beginning will remember one of his earliest roles, that of Dorky David Kidney inLegally Blonde.Legally Blondemay not beReese Witherspoon’s breakout performance, but it’s the film that rocketed her to mainstream stardom and the movie that began a franchise of idyllic, charming, and unexpectedly complexLegally Blondemovies, a TV show, and even a musical.
The first film features an impressive cast, including a relatively unknown Osgood “Oz” Perkins as Dorky David Kidney. These days, Oz Perkins is known for his directing, but in a previous life,he was a fairly prolific TV and movie actor who got his acting career started in the 1983 sequel,Psycho II, as a young Norman Bates. Perkins comes from Hollywood royalty. His father is actor Anthony Perkins, his mother is actress Berry Berenson, and his brother is folk musician Elvis Perkins. Oz has made his own name in the industry, both directing and acting.
Oz Perkins' Legally Blonde Character Explained
Dorky David Is A Lovable Oddball Friend To Elle
Dorky David Kidney is a student at Harvard who Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) immediately takes to upon entering the school. As his name suggests, he’s a nerdy, oddball, uncomfortable young man who struggles to fit in on campus. Wearing an oversized sweater and backpack, along with hiked-up khakis, he’s not exactly the picture-perfect Elle when it comes to style, buthis sweet nature and modesty make him an immediately endearing character.
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Perkins stands at an impressive 6' 4" (viaIMDb) and his height makes David’s discomfort in his own skin all the more adorable. Whether he’s trying to shrink into himself like a turtle, or helping Elle reach for a book during her “training” montage, his height is either an awkward frustration for him, or a helpful asset.Elle’s treatment of David is another one of the ways she proves she’s not just another selfish law student only looking out for herselfand that she intends to make a difference while she’s at Harvard.
Perkins Is A Successful Horror Director Who Helmed The Nicolas Cage Movie Longlegs
Oz Perkins' Horror Movies Are Uniquely Terrifying And Unsettling
Oddly enough,Dorky David has grown up to become one of the most exciting and fresh faces in horror. His directing career began withThe Blackcoat’s Daughter, a relatively unseen, but incredibly disturbing and unnerving supernatural horror. He then followed this up withI Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the HouseandGretel and Hansel. His latest film isLonglegs, starring Nicolas Cage, which is his best yet and showcases his singular talent for making scenes that should be goofy, incredibly uncomfortable, and eerily memorable.
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What’s Next For Oz Perkins?
Perkins Will Be Directing An Adaptation Of The Monkey
The indie horror worldand theLegallyBlondefandom have long celebrated Oz Perkins, but withLonglegs, Perkins has entered into a more popular tier of director. His next project is a direct response to that popularity, an adaption of a Stephen King short story, “The Monkey”. This famous story follows the trail of death and chaos caused by a seemingly sentient cymbal-banging monkey toy. The film is set for release on July 11, 2025, and the highly anticipated movie should reveal what kind of director Oz Perkins is when the expectations are raised.
