His mother was actress Linda Porter, known for her roles in shows such as Superstore and Gilmore Girls, and his father, Martin Perlich, was a writer, radio programming director and announcer, who worked for a time with the Cleveland Orchestra.
[3] After Perlich dropped out of high school in 10th grade, his career began with a small part in John Hughes' hit 1986 teen comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
He then began appearing in a series of bit parts on television and in teen films such as Can't Buy Me Love (1987), Plain Clothes (1988), Gleaming the Cube, Lost Angels and Drugstore Cowboy (1989).
[4] He also had recurring roles on television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1998), Gilmore Girls (2001), Charmed (2005), My Name Is Earl (2006), and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008), in addition to appearing in an episode of Season 4 of Burn Notice (2010).
He is also featured in the music videos "Bust a Move" by Young MC, "No Excuses" by Alice in Chains and "Naked Eye" by Luscious Jackson.