The 28th October 2023 is a day many lovers of popular sitcom ‘Friends’, and those helped by Matthew Perry’s activism on addiction will mourn. A day where a much-loved actor, friend, and television personality sadly passed away in his home in Los Angeles, California. Obviously, many reading this story and have tuned into the coverage of his passing will recognise Perry for his iconic role as ‘Chandler Bing’ in ‘Friends’.

Here his stardom was actualised as he featured for ten years on the show, capturing the hearts and minds of those entertained by his sarcastic yet charming character.

Perhaps for many, he felt like a friend of their own.

However, to commemorate his impact as merely an actor on a popular show would do a disservice to a man who despite his troubles with substance abuse, used his platform for good to help people, who like himself, suffer from addiction.

Perry was widely considered as a comedic ‘genius’ which is certainly a phrase fitting of his acting career. “As a teenager Perry moved to Hollywood with the hope of reconnecting with his father” who had left the family to start an acting career himself. Here, Perry began to enjoy acting, scouted initially by director William Richert as he was ‘charming a bunch of young women’. Richert left him a note offering him a role in the film A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon in 1988 (Source: The Guardian – 2023).

The film was Perry’s film debut with other roles coming in tv series such as ‘Boys Will Be Boys’ and CBS sitcom ‘Sydney’. His big break and starring performance came in the hit sitcom Friends which first aired in 1994 with Perry playing Chandler Bing, A wise cracking, quick witted, self-deprecating character. A helpless romantic until he fell for his “lobster” Monica, to create one of the most iconic couples in TV history.

His deadpan delivery and relentless sarcasm had and still has audiences in stitches still to this day. There is no denying, his portrayal of Chandler is a masterpiece.

However, away from the limelight, the actor had his problems.

An alcoholic for a significant chunk of his life; he had his first drink at the age of 14, and then became addicted to painkillers after his first pill prescribed after a jet ski accident in 1997. Perry described himself as a ‘ready-made, just add water addict’. (Source: The Guardian 2023). He once famously claimed he couldn’t even remember filming series 3 to 6 of ‘Friends’ and in the later seasons of the show he was routinely drunk, high or hungover on set, prompting concern from his co-stars with the entire cast attempting to stage an intervention.

His struggles still continued when the show finished in 2004. His career continued of course, but would never hit the height Friends did. In January 2022, he underwent his fourteenth surgery relating to his drug addiction.

Despite his struggles, it is important to remember that Perry did not let his addiction define his legacy. The actor worked hard to destigmatise substance abuse disorder speaking openly about his own experience, which has in turn helped others. His advocacy work culminated in his book released in 2022, a memoir titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible thing where Perry “detailed his sobriety and relapses with substances”.

Perry was a relatable figure and helped many through his openness about his struggles.

Whether as an addict or not, both in his role as an incredibly talented actor on ‘Friends’ or through his advocacy work, Matthew Perry has touched the hearts of many people and left a legacy worth remembering.

To conclude, here is a quote from the man himself when asked how he would like to be remembered during a Q&A with Tom Power in 2022: “The best thing about me, bar none, is if someone comes up to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say yes and follow up and do it.

I’ve said this for a long time, when I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned, I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned.”