 Till 1920s, he acted small parts in various comedies when he was hired by Charles Frohman, a Broadway producer.The first notable role came his way, at the age of 37, when Henry A. Souchet, who was a friend, wrote a part specially for Perkins in his farcical play "My Friend from India".The play, which opened on 6 October 1896 at the Bijou Theatre, in Broadway, was a success and elevated the status of both the actor and the author, with Perkins in the starring role as "A. Keene Shaver".