Born on 7 January 1941, Perry worked for Shepperton Studios for around eighteen months and then went to Anglo-Scottish Pictures where he met Derek Meddings and David Elliott prior to joining A.P. Films in 1960. Having a stronger interest in live-action, Perry left Anglo-Scottish to work on Robin Hood, after which he went to A.P. Films to work on Supercar as a clapper loader. Perry later became a focus puller, and after that, a camera operator. He currently lives in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.