American Motorcyclist Association welcomes Perry King to Board of Directors

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that 45-year motorcyclist and actor Perry King has been appointed to the Association's Board of Directors, and begins serving his official duties at the Board meeting convening today. King, who will serve the North West region on the AMA Board, makes his home in Northern California on a ranch in Cool. He maintains a second residence in Southern California.

"Perry King is more than a Hollywood personality, he is a lifelong motorcyclist and one of the most poised and dedicated representatives of the motorcycling community," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Perry is not only passionate about motorcycling but is passionate about the AMA, as well. He recognizes the importance of the AMA in protecting the future of motorcycling."

King will fill the vacancy resulting from the departure of former AMA Board Chairman Dal Smilie. Smilie resigned after an AMA internal investigation uncovered evidence of unsubstantiated expense reimbursements to Smilie. King will serve out the remainder of the original term, which extends through February 2010.

"My deep love of all things related to motorcycling, particularly the people, attracted me greatly to the prospect of serving on the AMA Board of Directors," King said. "Also, my appreciation for hard, productive work made me feel I must not pass up this opportunity -- so much of the time, all I really want to do is ride my motorcycle, but that's no excuse to avoid an important calling."

King says that the major motorcycling issues facing the North West region include land-use, noise, drinking and riding, public image, and, "the apparent inability of the American public to see motorcycles as smart, fuel-efficient and practical vehicles for the future."

Motorcycles have played a major role in King's life for more than four decades. He owns bikes of all types, including vintage, dual-sport and sport motorcycles. He constantly rides both off- and on-road and occasionally races. King's 500-acre cattle ranch in Northern California -- where his ranch hands have opted for motorcycles instead of horses to work the property -- provides him with considerable opportunity to ride off-road close to home.

King is an accomplished actor and has appeared in more than 50 films and made-for-television movies, television series and on stage. Some of his better-known roles include Cody Allen in the NBC series "Riptide," Hayley Armstrong in the Fox series "Melrose Place," Richard Williams in the NBC series "Titans" and President Blake in the 2004 movie "The Day After Tomorrow." Perhaps one of King's most enduring roles is Chico in the 1974 movie "The Lords of Flatbush." King made his film debut in the 1972 film "Slaughterhouse-Five."

King has a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from Yale University. He subsequently studied under John Houseman at The Julliard School in New York City. He was born in Alliance, Ohio.