Billie Perkins

Billie Perkins was born Shirley Elizabeth Kuhn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her mother was a barmaid and her father a salesman. They divorced when she was 7 years old. Since her parents were unable to care for her, she was placed in the foster care system. At the age of 10, she was removed from foster care and went to live in the United Presbyterian Home for Children in Mars, Pennsylvania.Billie lived in the children's home until she graduated from the Mars Area Junior-Senior High School at the age of 17. After high school, she took a job as a secretary. In her spare time, she did some modeling jobs and started taking acting lessons.At 20, Billie relocated to New York City where she got a job working for Atlantic Records. At 22, she took a job as a Playboy Bunny at the NYC Playboy Club so she could be available for auditions during the day. Days later, she met and signed with a talent manager who convinced her to change her name. She decided on the name "Billie Perkins." Shortly thereafter, the young actress landed her first TV Commercial for "Keep America Beautiful" and was awarded her SAG card.Having an urge to travel and see the world, Billie packed her bags and moved to London. She got a job working for the rock group "Emerson, Lake & Palmer." Billie also found work doing TV commercials and voice-overs.Upon her return to New York, Billie was asked by Martin Scorsese to play the part of Jodie Foster's friend in the movie Taxi Driver (1976). Several other TV commercials, television shows and movies followed.Billie headed to Hollywood, California at the age of 26. She was quickly cast in several television shows such as Drôles de dames (1976) and Family (1976). She became popular in various teen magazines and even had a Fan Club.Just as her career was flourishing, Billie was involved in a serious car accident. Her career, which was once on the fast track was quickly derailed. At 31, Billie headed to Las Vegas to begin a long career as a professional poker dealer and poker player.After traveling the world, Billie landed in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area of Florida where she is once again pursuing her acting career. Show less «