The world lost a gem at 54; Perry once unveiled why Chandler Bing episodes remained unwatched by him.
Last year, Matthew Perry delved deep into the poignant reason he steered clear of Friends reruns.
The beloved actor, who left us tragically at 54, confessed in a 2022 interview that revisiting Friends episodes was painful. As Chandler Bing, his most iconic role, he was reminded of the chronological battles he fought with addiction.
“When I watch, it’s like a mirror to my addiction phases: alcohol, opiates, back to alcohol, then cocaine,” Perry confided in his chat with Q with Tom Power. “Though the world might not see it, I certainly can. And that’s precisely why I steer clear. It’s not the comedy I see, but the pain beneath.”
Yet, amidst these haunting memories, Perry hinted at revisiting Friends. Why? The magic of the show that redefined TV sitcoms and the camaraderie with co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow. “Watching it touch heart after heart, across generations, it’s tempting to relive the joy. It’s a global phenomenon, and yes, I might just watch it again,” Perry admitted.
The shocking news of his demise came from a Los Angeles home where he was found. TMZ cited cardiac arrest as a possible reason. Though no substances were detected, authorities remained tight-lipped about the identity of the deceased.
Warner Bros. expressed their grief, “Matthew Perry’s demise is shattering. An exceptional actor, he was integral to our television family. His humor resonated globally. Today, our hearts are heavy, and our love goes out to his kin and his vast number of fans.”
Perry was no stranger to candid revelations. Ahead of his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he opened up to us about his relentless battle with addiction.
Tracing the roots of his opioid addiction, Perry shared a 1997 mishap as the turning point. “Before that accident, I hadn’t tasted a pill. The first time was pure euphoria. It even made me quit alcohol, which became my friends’ first clue something was amiss,” he recalled.
Perry shockingly admitted to a phase where he consumed 55 Vicodin daily, which caused his weight to plummet to 128 lbs.
However, amid the turmoil, Perry always cherished Friends. With a million dollars per episode in his pocket, he once reflected, “If I had to choose, I’d trade the wealth to be free from this ailment. Yet, Friends was a lifeline. It wasn’t just about the money, but the craft. At that pay, you couldn’t afford to be hungover. You had to be present.”
