The One Where We All Lost a Friend
On Oct. 28, the world was left in shock and bitter sadness after news broke of Matthew Perry’s death.
At only 54 years old, Perry was found unresponsive in the jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home. The official cause of death is still under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
A true legacy of laughter, Perry brought smiles to the lives of millions around the globe through his portrayal of Chandler Bing in the hit NBC sitcom Friends.
The first time I watched the show, I couldn’t believe how invested I was in the lives of six young adults living it up in New York City. I quickly realized it was due to the show’s ability to make me feel like I was their friend and the insane chemistry the actors had with each other.
There is so much of Matthew Perry in Chandler. Many of the character’s signature lines were written by the actor and the production team often turned to him when re-writing scenes. He brought wit and charisma to the sarcastic Chandler, making him one of the most iconic characters in sitcom history.
Although he is mainly known for his role in Friends, Perry wrote in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, “When I die, as far as my so-called accomplishments go, it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people.”
Though he was an accomplished actor, Perry battled drug and alcohol addiction for more than 30 years, but he was declared sober in 2021.
Those experiences inspired him to turn his Malibu home into Perry House, an addiction recovery facility, offering holistic services to save lives.
Among the people Perry helped is Hank Azaria, who expressed in a heartfelt video on Instagram the long-lasting effects Perry had on his life.
Despite his personal struggles, our friend Matthew Perry never gave up.
He not only helped the people in his life but those who turned on the television and watched Friends.
Your soul will forever live in the people you touched. May you rest in eternal grace Matthew Perry.
