Remembering Matthew Perry: Max Pays Heartfelt Tribute in Iconic 'Friends' Episodes
Matthew Perry, the beloved actor who portrayed Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom 'Friends' for a decade, is honored with a heartfelt tribute in the show's episodes following his untimely passing
Matthew Perry. Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Max pays tribute to Matthew Perry, the beloved Friends star, who tragically passed away. A title card with Perry's headshot, bearing the words "In Memory of Matthew Perry 1969–2023," is presented before every season premiere.
Perry portrayed Chandler Bing on Friends from 1994 to 2004, a popular sitcom centered around a group of friends in their 30s in New York City. The show's success catapulted Perry, along with Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, to stardom. Reflecting on his experience, Perry admitted to feeling ill-equipped for life in the public eye.
“When [fame] comes, it's like living in Disneyland for a period of time. Personally, this sensation lasted about eight months, making me feel like I had achieved success and was elated, with no troubles in the world. But eventually, I came to the realization that it doesn't bring any real fulfillment or fill any voids in my life,” he admitted to The New York Times in 2002, when discussing his path to recovery. “I didn't become sober because I wanted to. I became sober because I feared that the next day could be my last.”
During the production of Friends, Matthew Perry encountered substance abuse issues when he became addicted to Vicodin following a Jet Ski incident in 1997. As a consequence, his addiction escalated to alcohol abuse, negatively impacting Perry's work on set and ultimately necessitating hospitalization due to pancreatitis in 2000.
The actor reflected on his experience with detox during the break between seasons 6 and 7 of Friends.
In his 2022 memoir, titled Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing, he candidly shared, "You can observe the patterns of my addiction by examining my weight throughout the seasons. When I appear heavier, it signifies alcohol; when I'm thin, it signifies pills. And when I sport a goatee, it means I've been taking lots of pills." He further urged readers to compare his appearance from the final episode of season six to the first episode of season seven, which revolved around Chandler and Monica's proposal. Despite wearing the same outfit in both episodes, he disclosed, "I must have shed about fifty pounds during the off-season."
Perry made numerous efforts to achieve sobriety and eventually entered recovery prior to the 2021 reunion of Max's Friends. In the midst of the special, Perry candidly shared his experience of being exceptionally critical of himself while filming Chandler's scenes.
"I had this feeling of impending doom if I didn't receive laughter. It's definitely not a healthy mindset, but there were instances where I would deliver a line, expecting laughter, and when it didn't come, I would become anxious and have physical reactions," he revealed. "If I didn't receive the expected laughter, it would trigger a state of panic. I experienced this every single night."
Perry passed away at the age of 54 on Saturday, October 28, in what appears to be a drowning incident. Authorities were called to a Los Angeles residence following reports of cardiac arrest and found Perry unconscious in a hot tub. Despite the absence of any signs of foul play, law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Prior to his untimely demise, Perry expressed his desire for a legacy beyond his notable role on Friends.
“I want to be remembered as someone who lived and loved fully, a seeker who dedicated his life to helping others," Perry stated during an interview on the "Q With Tom Power" podcast in 2022. "When people approach me for help, especially with their struggles like alcoholism, I take pride in being able to say 'yes' and truly support them. Instead of being remembered solely for my fame, I want my legacy to be centered around my ability to make a positive impact on people's lives. I am determined to live the rest of my life proving this."
