Perry Ivins got his start on Broadway in the 1920s, appearing in various small parts. With the advent of sound in movies, Ivins made his way to Hollywood. Ivins originally worked as a dialogue director, but eventually got work as a bit player. The articulate Ivins was well suited for white collar roles, playing played doctors, reporters, professors, druggists, policemen, mayors, and other professional types. More often than not, Ivins was barely noticeable. After appearing in almost 50 movies during the 1930s, Ivins disappeared from the Hollywood scene for about eight years, then resurfaced in 1947 and appeared in few more movies. As TV gained popularity, Ivins made the transition to the small screen, mainly in westerns, playing telegraph clerks, railroad conductors, store proprietors and such. Ivins worked up until a couple of years before his death in 1963.