Joe Perham
Encyclopedia
Joe Perham is an American humorist who is known for his "Down East Maine" humor. Perham's humor style was an influence on Tim Sample
. Sample has described Perham as a "seriously funny guy with a professionally honed native wit, which inevitably leaves his audiences weak from laughter."
in 1932 and is one of thirteen children in the Perham family. When Perham was eight, his family moved to a 200-acre farm overlooking West Paris. Perham attended the University of Maine
, majoring in English and education, and Colby College
in Waterville, Maine
. While at Colby, Perham was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society
, and earned money by working in the feldspar
mines for three summers and running a jackhammer
the fourth summer for a construction firm, earning 68 cents an hour in the mine and $2.00 an hour running a pneumatic drill. After graduating from Colby, Perham became a high school English teacher and also teaching speech and drama. At age 50, Perham retired from teaching to begin his career as a storyteller and humorist.
(1990), based on the novel by Stephen King
, and as a dancer, with his former wife Margaret Perham, in Bed & Breakfast (1992), with Roger Moore
and Colleen Dewhurst
.
, Perham lives in Lewiston, Maine
with his wife Peg, who often appeared in his material.
Tim Sample
New England humorist Tim Sample , famous both for his presentation and his Maine accent, has sold well over a million copies of his books, albums, and videos . In the summer of 1993, Tim was recruited by Charles Kuralt as a correspondent for the Emmy Award winning TV Show CBS News Sunday Morning...
. Sample has described Perham as a "seriously funny guy with a professionally honed native wit, which inevitably leaves his audiences weak from laughter."
Early life
Joe was born in West Paris, MaineWest Paris, Maine
West Paris is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,722 at the 2000 census.-History:It began as part of Paris, granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1771 to Captain Joshua Fuller and his company of 64 soldiers as payment for their service to the colony...
in 1932 and is one of thirteen children in the Perham family. When Perham was eight, his family moved to a 200-acre farm overlooking West Paris. Perham attended the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
, majoring in English and education, and Colby College
Colby College
Colby College is a private liberal arts college located on Mayflower Hill in Waterville, Maine. Founded in 1813, it is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the United States...
in Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
. While at Colby, Perham was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society
Phi Beta Kappa Society
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is an academic honor society. Its mission is to "celebrate and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences"; and induct "the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at America’s leading colleges and universities." Founded at The College of William and...
, and earned money by working in the feldspar
Feldspar
Feldspars are a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals which make up as much as 60% of the Earth's crust....
mines for three summers and running a jackhammer
Jackhammer
A jackhammer is a pneumatic tool that combines a hammer directly with a chisel that was invented by Charles Brady King. Hand-held jackhammers are typically powered by compressed air, but some use electric motors. Larger jackhammers, such as rig mounted hammers used on construction machinery, are...
the fourth summer for a construction firm, earning 68 cents an hour in the mine and $2.00 an hour running a pneumatic drill. After graduating from Colby, Perham became a high school English teacher and also teaching speech and drama. At age 50, Perham retired from teaching to begin his career as a storyteller and humorist.
Career
Throughout his 25-year career, Perham performed throughout Maine, performing as various characters. His discography consists of over 15 releases. He has appeared in two films: as a mill inspector in Graveyard ShiftGraveyard Shift (film)
Graveyard Shift is a 1990 film directed by Ralph S. Singleton, written by John Esposito and based on the short story by Stephen King; First published in the 1970 issue of Cavalier magazine, and later collected in King's 1978 collection Night Shift...
(1990), based on the novel by Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
, and as a dancer, with his former wife Margaret Perham, in Bed & Breakfast (1992), with Roger Moore
Roger Moore
Sir Roger George Moore KBE , is an English actor, perhaps best known for portraying British secret agent James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. He also portrayed Simon Templar in the long-running British television series The Saint.-Early life:Moore was born in Stockwell, London...
and Colleen Dewhurst
Colleen Dewhurst
Colleen Rose Dewhurst was a Canadian-American actress known for a while as "the Queen of Off-Broadway." In her autobiography, Dewhurst wrote: "I had moved so quickly from one Off-Broadway production to the next that I was known, at one point, as the 'Queen of Off-Broadway'...
.
Personal life
Now retired following his diagnosis with Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, Perham lives in Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
with his wife Peg, who often appeared in his material.
Filmography
- Bed & Breakfast (1992)
- Graveyard ShiftGraveyard Shift (film)Graveyard Shift is a 1990 film directed by Ralph S. Singleton, written by John Esposito and based on the short story by Stephen King; First published in the 1970 issue of Cavalier magazine, and later collected in King's 1978 collection Night Shift...
(1990)