The new millennium welcomed in the Year of Piper, but ever since her big screen debut in “Coyote Ugly,” the young actress hasn’t exactly made the kind of splash everyone in Hollywood was expecting. Born in a small town outside of New York, Piper attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she studied theater. After graduating, Piper moved to New York to study at LaMama Theater, and it didn’t take long before she started receiving roles in small, independent films like “Single Spaced” and “Whiteboyz.”
Her first major film role came alongside Robert DeNiro in the live-action adaptation of “The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle,” but because the film was such a mockery of fine talent, most people accredit the actress’ breakthrough role in “Coyote Ugly” as both her mainstream film debut and her big break. Since then, Piper has sort of hid in the shadows as she continues to appear in smaller films like “Lost and Delirious” and “Slap Her… She’s French.” She won’t remain hidden for long, however, and despite a recent display of poor script choices (including the “Cheaper By the Dozen” series and “The Cave”), Piper is bound to break out sooner or later. That still won’t change the biggest dilemma for most men that are hot for Piper: she’s a lesbian.
Piper Perabo on the Screen
Piper has been slowly working her way to the top of the Hollywood food chain for the past five years, but she hasn’t appeared in too many mainstream films since her debut in “Coyote Ugly.” She has, however, appeared in a few, including the family comedy “Cheaper By the Dozen,” its sequel, and the 2005 summer horror film “The Cave.”
Piper Says
On getting into acting:
“But at school, I wasn’t athletic, and if you’re not athlete in high school, it’s kind of hard to find your place, so play practice seemed perfect, especially if you were as uncoordinated as I was.”
On working with Ashton Kutcher:
“Nobody got Punk’d and he was still in his season for that show when we were filming. So the kids were very aware that it was filming and that was his show and they were very much on the lookout for that.”
On her character in “Coyote Ugly”:
“It takes a lot of guts to get up on top of a bar and dance.”