Opinion: Remembering Matthew Perry - Losing One of Our Beloved Friends
Matthew Perry's untimely passing left a void in our hearts Dean Obeidallah fondly recalls Perry's portrayal of Chandler Bing, appreciating his relatable self-deprecating humor and sarcastic wit Discover how this iconic character touched the lives of millions in this touching tribute
Dean Obeidallah, the host of SiriusXM radios daily program "The Dean Obeidallah Show," reveals in this commentary that Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away at the age of 54 on Saturday, was his favorite among the cast of "Friends." Obeidallah greatly appreciated Perry's portrayal of Chandler Bing, particularly his skillful delivery of sarcastic and self-deprecating one-liners, which strongly resonated with him.
Dean Obeidallah
Chandler employed humor as a means of coping with his insecurities and discomfort, often resorting to lines like, "Hey, I'm Chandler, I rely on jokes when I feel uneasy" and "I'm not the best at giving advice. Would you prefer a sarcastic remark?"
The TV show "Friends," featuring Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, and Lisa Kudrow, went beyond being just a television series. It became a significant cultural reference point that played a crucial role in defining a whole generation. As part of NBC's "Must See TV" lineup during the 1990s and early 2000s, "Friends" consistently attracted an impressive audience of around 25 million viewers for each new episode.
(Note: "Friends" was produced by Warner Bros. Television, which is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN.)
According to Variety, the final episode of the show in 2004 had over 52 million viewers, making it the fifth most-watched series finale ever. To put this into perspective, the top comedy show in the 2022-2023 season, CBS's "Young Sheldon," attracted an average of 9.3 million viewers per episode.
Matthew Perry is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on "Friends."
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Perry, seen here around 1985, discovered a passion for acting during his teenage years upon relocating to Los Angeles. He was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to a father who was an actor and a mother who worked as a journalist.
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Perry and Christina Applegate were cast in the 1988 made for TV teen movie "Dance 'til Dawn."
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Actress Martha Plimpton and Perry are seen at the Limelight nightclub in New York City circa 1988.
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Perry guest stars in an episode of "Growing Pains" in 1989. His character was injured in the episode, which was about the dangers of drunk driving.
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Perry co-starred in "Friends" with Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston. The first season aired in 1994.
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Perry is seen in the 1995 "Friends" episode "The One with the Evil Orthodontist."
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The cast of "Friends" drink milkshakes in an iconic promo photo.
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Perry and Cox appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1996.
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Perry co-stars with Salma Hayek in the 1997 romantic comedy film "Fools Rush In."
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The cast of "Friends" pose for a promo shot in 1999.
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The sixth season of "Friends" aired in 1999.
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Perry and Cox are seen in the 2000 "Friends" episode "The One With Rachel's Assistant."
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Michael Clarke Duncan tackles Perry in a scene from the 2000 film "The Whole Nine Yards."
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Perry and Cox pose for a photo during the 2001 "Friends" episode "The One With Monica And Chandler's Wedding."
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Perry portrayed Joe Quincy on "The West Wing" in 2003, seen here alongside Amy Stewart, Richard Schiff and Milo O'Shea.
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Perry and British actress Kelly Reilly perform a scene from the West End play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" at The Comedy Theatre in London in 2003.
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In 2003, Perry participated in the Merv Griffin Beverly Hills Country Club Celebrity Tennis Classic. During his childhood, Perry dedicated himself to his love for tennis and achieved a high ranking as a Canadian tennis player. He resided with his mother in Canada following his parents' separation.
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Perry prepares to make a statement as fellow "Friends" cast memberLeBlanc hands over the award they won for favorite television comedy series at the 2004 People's Choice Awards.
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Perry's directorial debut occurred in a 2004 episode of "Scrubs." In this image, Perry can be seen engaged in conversation with the director of photography, John Inwood. Meanwhile, actors Zach Braff and John C. McGinley observe the interaction.
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Perry co-stars with Amanda Peet and Bruce Willis in the 2004 sequel "The Whole Ten Yards."
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Perry participates in a Screen Actors Guild rally in solidarity with the striking Writers Guild of America in Los Angeles in 2007.
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Perry speaks onstage at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2012. He was nominated four times for the prestigious TV acting award.
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Perry throws out the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 2012.
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In 2013, Perry appeared before a House Subcommittee at the Capitol to advocate for the funding of drug courts. As someone who openly shared his personal battle with addiction, Perry served as an ambassador for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Perry and Lindsay Sloane are seen behind the scenes on a 2014 episode of the CBS series "The Odd Couple."
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Perry plays Ted Kennedy in the 2017 TV series "The Kennedys After Camelot."
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The cast of "Friends" appeared on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" in 2021.
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Copies of Perry's memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," are displayed at a bookstore in 2022.
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Perry enters the stage for a conversation with editor Matt Brennan during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in Los Angeles in 2023.
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Matthew Perry's life in pictures
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Unfortunately, despite the fact that "Friends" continues to bring joy to many people through reruns, Perry cannot bring himself to watch the sitcom because it would only cause him pain. While many find amusement in the antics of the "Friends" cast, the show serves as a reminder to Perry of the dark period in his life when he was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
In a 2022 interview with CBC, Perry openly admitted, "I have never watched the show and still haven't, because it would just remind me of my past struggles with alcohol, drugs, and cocaine." He further explained, "I would be able to identify each season based on my appearance... That is precisely why I choose not to watch it, because it brings back those painful memories."
This undated photo features Courteney Cox Arquette (L), Jennifer Aniston (C), and Matthew Perry in a scene from the popular NBC series "Friends". The show garnered 11 Emmy nominations, including outstanding comedy series, by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on July 18, 2002, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Warner Bros. Television/Getty Images)
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How Matthew Perry scored his career-making role on Friends
Perry chose not to subject himself to the pain of reliving his past by watching the show. However, he did not shy away from discussing his previous battles with alcohol and drug addiction, hoping to assist others in their recovery. In his book titled "Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir," published in 2022, Perry not only shared his personal struggles but also aimed to provide support to those seeking sobriety.
The opening lines of Perry's memoir read as follows: "Hello, my name is Matthew, though you may be familiar with a different name. My friends often refer to me as Matty. And I should not be alive today."
He continued, "I share this not to solicit pity, but to convey the truth. I share these words because someone else might find themselves in a similar confusion - knowing they should quit drinking, possessing all the knowledge and comprehending the consequences, yet still unable to break free from the grip of alcohol." He further added, "You are not alone, my fellow brethren."
Perry disclosed the harrowing impact addiction had on his life, recounting incidents of opioid abuse that led to a life-threatening colon rupture at the age of 49. Consequently, he found himself in a coma for a fortnight and underwent 14 surgeries to rectify the damages.
Host Pete Davidson during the Cold Open on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
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Opinion: Pete Davidsons perfect plea
Perry is not alone in bringing joy to others while battling personal demons. Pete Davidson, a 29-year-old comedian and former cast member of "Saturday Night Live," has been open about his struggles. People magazine recently reported that he has just completed another round of rehab. Similar to the character Chandler, Davidson used self-deprecating humor to share this information with his audience at a stand-up show, saying, "I am fresh out of rehab, everyone. I got that post-rehab glow," and jokingly adding, "Seventh times the charm!"
Challenges are a part of life, and how we handle them defines our character. Perry recognized this, stating in an interview with People last year, "What surprises me the most is my resilience," and further commenting, "I am amazed at how I can bounce back from all the torment and hardships."
Perry was honored and appreciated by many, who acknowledged the challenges he faced and the values he embodied. Actor Chad Lowe shared his thoughts on X, previously known as Twitter, expressing how difficult it was to witness Perry's struggle with alcoholism. However, Lowe admired Perry's bravery in fighting this battle and acknowledged the positive impact his public disclosure had on others. Perry was deeply cherished by a vast number of individuals.
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After the conclusion of "Friends," Perry ventured into various television projects such as "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," "Go On," "Mr. Sunshine," and a reimagining of Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple." Nevertheless, Perry's legacy in the entertainment industry will forever be tied to his portrayal of Chandler Bing.
Yet, outside of the spotlight, he will be most recalled for his willingness to openly discuss his own challenges, hardships, and determination, all in an effort to inspire and support others. Because above all else, that is the true essence of what it means to be a friend.
