A lawyer who never pursued a career in law, Perrin instead secured a position in the Warner Bros. publicity department in 1930. His impressive skills and talents caught the attention of Groucho Marx, who, in 1931, granted him access to his dressing room with a forged letter from renowned playwright Moss Hart. Impressed by Perrin's abilities, Marx arranged for him to be hired by Paramount Pictures for the film "Monkey Business", thus crediting Groucho for bringing Perrin to Hollywood and bestowing upon him his first professional job as a gag writer.
Perrin's career continued to flourish, with stints as a producer for Columbia Pictures during the late 1930s, followed by a move to MGM in the mid-1940s. In the early 1950s, he transitioned to television, producing shows such as "The Red Skelton Show" and "Death Valley Days". Perrin also served as the head writer and producer for the beloved "The Addams Family" series, which aired from 1964 to 1966.
In 1977, Perrin played a significant role in the Groucho Marx estate, serving as a temporary conservator and helping to reunite the comedian with his estranged children, a testament to his enduring connection to the Marx family and his lasting impact on the entertainment industry.