Anthony Perkins: The True Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’

The latest chapter of Ryan Murphy’s Monster series dives into the twisted tale of ’50s serial killer Ed Gein, but it goes beyond his horrific deeds to explore the Hollywood horror legacy he sparked. Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller Psycho draws on Gein’s eerie mother fixation to craft the unforgettable character Norman Bates, brought to life by actor Anthony Perkins.

In Monster: The Ed Gein Story, we get a glimpse into Perkins’s life and how embodying Bates on screen impacted his career and mind. The show hints at Perkins’s likely queerness, with references to his relationships with male partners like Tab Hunter. While it’s uncertain if the specific moments depicted in the show truly happened, we do know that Perkins grappled with his sexuality amidst Hollywood’s conservative backdrop.

After the release of Psycho, Perkins was shown in Monster with a male partner in the theater. While there’s no concrete evidence of a lover during that period, historical records suggest he did date Grover Dale in the ’60s. Perkins later tied the knot with Berry Berenson in 1973, with whom he had two children—an interesting family dynamic that skirted discussions about his sexuality.

One notable subplot in Monster involves Perkins seeking conversion therapy after a harrowing scene in Psycho. While the details of these sessions remain shrouded in mystery, reports suggest that Perkins did undergo conversion therapy, eventually leading to his marriage to Berenson. The series sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Perkins’s life, offering a window into the struggles he faced off-camera.