Life in Brooklyn Heights

For actor Chris Perfetti, residing in a fifth-floor walk-up in the charming neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights, every day is essentially leg day. “It’s worth it for the breathtaking view,” shared Mr. Perfetti, 35, who is best known for his role as Jacob Hill, the dedicated sixth-grade teacher on the hit series Abbott Elementary. This public school mockumentary, created by Quinta Brunson, is set in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, and the fourth season recently premiered this month.

Although Mr. Perfetti has made a name for himself as a talented New York theater actor, he is now also splitting his time in Los Angeles, where he spends about six months each year filming Abbott. Recently, he purchased a charming 100-year-old cottage nestled in the woods of Los Angeles’s Laurel Canyon neighborhood. However, he has no intention of parting with his beloved Brooklyn one-bedroom, where he enjoys the unique experience of living on the building’s top floor.

“I definitely find myself missing New York when I’m in L.A. far more than I miss L.A. when I’m back in New York,” he remarked. Originally hailing from Rochester, New York, Mr. Perfetti studied drama at the State University of New York at Purchase in Westchester County. On weekends, he would eagerly take Metro-North trains into Manhattan to immerse himself in the world of theater.

Daily Routine

“I pretty much jet back here as soon as they call cut on Abbott,” he added, highlighting his commitment to both his craft and his roots.

LATE START

I usually wake up before noon, but not by much. Filming Abbott requires extreme early mornings — I typically rise at around 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. to make it to set on time. This early schedule necessitates a daily alarm, so on my off days, I prioritize letting my body catch up on sleep as much as possible.