by Scott Heffernan (bio)
See all Doppelgängers here.
Denholm Elliott was a recognizable character actor from England whose career spanned 40 years. You’ve likely seen him in the Indiana Jones films, Trading Places, and Toy Soldiers. You probably haven’t see him in the 1988 made for TV movie The Bourne Identity (starring Richard Chamberlain as Jason Bourne).
The Twist: Both men were born in 1922. Interesting. Both served in the military during World War II. Also interesting. The difference? Mr. Elliott’s plane was shot down over Germany in 1942 and he spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. Elder Perry served a mission from 1942-1944, missing the axis of the war. Immediately after his mission, he was sent to Saipan, and later Japan.
Hypothetical Retroactive Scenario: Delaying his mission, L. Tom Perry goes straight into the military and is sent to Germany to fight in the war. He is captured and sent to the same POW camp where Denholm Elliott is imprisoned. They meet. After the initial shock of seeing each other wears off, they use their newly discovered twin-like abilities to fool the guards and escape. During the escape they are careful not to touch one another/occupy the same space, just in case. One goes on to serve an honorable mission to Chicago, the other becomes an actor specializing in eccentric English gentlemen.
L. Tom Perry Trivia:
• "L" stands for Lowell.
• A Boston Red Sox fan, he threw out the first pitch in a 2004 game. Sorry Yankees fans.
• Shares a special connection to L. Tom Penny, a legendary and elusive professional skateboarder from England.
