The Unforgettable Brilliance of Chandler Bing on 'Friends'
Discover why Chandler Bing from 'Friends' was an absolute gem! Matthew Perry's iconic character had an unmatched ability to defuse any situation with humor while also showcasing his genuine and compassionate side Watch the video to witness the brilliance of Chandler Bing!
Chandler Bing, the beloved character played by the late Matthew Perry on the hit show Friends, was not only known for his quick wit and ability to lighten any situation with a joke, but also for his genuine and caring nature.
Perry, who tragically passed away at the age of 54 on Saturday, October 28, due to an apparent drowning incident at his residence in Los Angeles, portrayed the funny member of the group from 1994 to 2004. Throughout the show's immensely successful 10 seasons on NBC, he shared the screen with Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green), Courteney Cox (Monica Geller), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe Buffay), Matt LeBlanc (Joey Tribbiani), and David Schwimmer (Ross Geller).
Chandler was consistently entertaining, whether he was creating humorous aliases for his magazine subscriptions or expressing his love for future spouse Monica. During a March 2017 interview on Good Morning America, the actor disclosed that his preferred witty remark from his tenure on the sitcom was from the second season's episode titled "The One With Ross' New Girlfriend." In this scene, Chandler playfully advises Joey, "You need to cease using the Q-tip when you encounter resistance!" after his friend inquires about the year 1990.
While filming the series, the cast had a great time. However, Perry admitted in June 2017 that he had refused to participate in a revival. He expressed his concern, stating, "I have this recurring nightmare where we do Friends again and nobody cares. So if anybody asks me, I'm going to say no." Aniston, during a December 2018 interview on The Late Late Show With James Corden, mentioned that Perry wasn't the only one with hesitations. She stated, "The girls always say we would love to do it again, and the boys are a little less excited about it for some reason."
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Though Chandler brought laughter to the audience, Perry grappled with personal demons backstage. He confronted a harrowing fight against substance abuse, encompassing drugs and alcohol, while simultaneously enduring a constant battle with depression and anxiety.
In the Friends: The Reunion episode, which premiered on Max in April 2021, Perry reflected on the intense pressure he put on himself during filming. He admitted to feeling extreme anxiety and even physical reactions when his jokes didn't elicit laughter from the audience. Perry confessed that the fear of not getting the expected comedic response would cause him to panic, experiencing these emotions every night on set.
Upon learning about Perry's untimely passing, Friends cocreators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, along with executive producer Kevin S. Bright, expressed their profound shock and sadness.
"He was an exceptional talent, truly making the role his own. Since the very first time we heard him bring Chandler Bing to life, we knew no one else could compare," the trio stated on Sunday, October 29. "The joy, brilliance, and sheer intelligence he brought to each moment, both in his work and in life, will forever be treasured. He always managed to be the funniest person in any room, while also possessing the kindest and most selfless heart."
They concluded by expressing their love and support for his family and friends, acknowledging that their hearts are shattered by this loss. This is undoubtedly The One Where Our Hearts Are Broken."
Watch the video above to relive some of the most iconic moments Perry delivered as Chandler on Friends.
