Unveiling Matthew Perry and Julia Roberts' Relationship Journey: From Flirty Fax Messages to Her Memorable 'Friends' Episode
Matthew Perry and Julia Roberts' love story: A journey from flirty faxes to her iconic 'Friends' episode Explore their enchanting mid-'90s romance in this captivating relationship timeline
Matthew Perry revealed in his October 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, that he had a brief and secret relationship with Julia Roberts in the mid-‘90s. Their romance started in 1995 when Perry convinced Roberts to make a guest appearance in a season 2 episode of the popular NBC show.
"Julia was offered the post-Super Bowl episode in season 2, but she insisted on being in my storyline for her to agree to do the show. (Was I having a good year or what?)" the 17 Again star wrote in his memoir. "But first, I had to win her over." When it came to convincing the Oscar winner to take the role in “The One After the Super Bowl,” the Fools Rush In actor had to use some serious persuasion.
After sending Roberts three dozen roses with a note expressing his excitement at the possibility of her guest-starring on the series, Perry shared, "Her reply was that if I adequately explained quantum physics to her, she’d agree to be on the show. The following day, I sent her a paper all about wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle and entanglement, and only some of it was metaphorical."
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In 1996, while filming a beloved episode of Friends, Roberts and Perry were a couple. However, Perry, who openly discussed his challenges with mental health and substance abuse in his memoir, ended their relationship shortly after. In his memoir, he admitted that the pressure of dating Julia Roberts was overwhelming, and he felt unworthy of her love. As a result, Perry chose to end the relationship himself, rather than face the possibility of being left by Roberts.
Keep scrolling to relive Perry and Roberts’ ‘90s-stolgic romance:
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Matthew Perry and Julia Roberts' Relationship Timeline: From Flirting Via Fax to Her 'Friends' Episode
Matthew Perry revealed in his memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, that he and Julia Roberts had a brief and secret romance in the mid-‘90s. Their relationship started in 1995 when Perry convinced Roberts to appear in a season 2 episode of the popular NBC show, per her ultimatum.
“Julia was offered the post-Super Bowl episode in season 2 and agreed to do the show only if she could be in my story line,” wrote the 17 Again star in his memoir. “Let me emphasize that again — she would only do it if she could be in my story line. (Was I having a good year or what?)” he joked. “But first, I had to charm her.”
To convince the Oscar winner to take the role in "The One After the Super Bowl," the Fools Rush In actor had to use some serious brain power.
Perry sent Roberts three dozen roses along with a note expressing his excitement at the chance of her guest-starring on the series. He revealed, "Her response was that if I could properly explain quantum physics to her, she would agree to be on the show." Perry further added, "The next day, I sent her a paper on wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, and entanglement, and only some of it was metaphorical."
Despite being in a relationship by the time Roberts filmed the beloved Friends episode in 1996, Perry ended things shortly after. In his memoir, he candidly shared about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse, acknowledging that dating Julia Roberts had become overwhelming for him. Perry wrote, "I was always certain that she would leave me. I felt like I was not enough, broken, and unlovable. Instead of facing the pain of losing her, I chose to end the relationship with the beautiful and brilliant Julia Roberts."
Keep scrolling to relive Perry and Roberts’ ‘90s-stolgic romance:
Credit: YouTube
The One With the Wooing
Perry revealed in his October 2022 memoir that Julia was offered the post-Super Bowl episode in season 2 on the condition that she could be in his story line. "Let me say that again — she would only do the show if she could be in my story line. (Was I having a good year or what?) But first, I had to woo her."
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The One With the Physics
Perry remembered that Roberts had set one condition during the conversation. "Her response was that if I could explain quantum physics to her in a way she could understand, she would agree to appear on the show," he said. "The next day, I sent her a paper discussing wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, and entanglement, although some of it was metaphorical."
Credit: Shutterstock (2)
The One With the Flirting via Faxing
Former Friends writer Alexa Junge disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2021 that the stars engaged in a lot of flirting through faxing. "She was sending him these questionnaires like, 'Why should I go out with you?' And everyone in the writers' room helped him craft his responses," Junge reminisced. "He could hold his own, but there's no doubt we were all on Team Matthew, and we were determined to make it happen for him."
Credit: YouTube
The One With the Bagels
Perry wrote, "Julia not only agreed to do the show, but she also sent me a gift: bagels — lots and lots of bagels. I did let her in, both figuratively and literally, and a relationship began. We would already be a couple by the time we started filming the Friends Super Bowl episode."
Credit: Dave Lewis/Shutterstock; Douglas C Pizac/AP/Shutterstock
The One With the Breakup
“I found dating Julia Roberts to be overwhelming. I was always convinced that she would end things with me,” wrote the former Studio 30 on the Sunset Strip actor. “Why wouldn't she? I felt inadequate; I could never measure up; I was damaged, flawed, and undeserving of love. Instead of dealing with the inevitable pain of losing her, I ended things with the stunning and intelligent Julia Roberts.”
He also expressed that he believed Roberts thought she was "settling" by being with him, stating, “I can’t even put into words the look of bewilderment on her face.”
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The One With the Tribute
After Perry died in October 2023, Roberts reflected on his "heartbreaking" death.
The untimely death of someone so young is truly devastating. It serves as a reminder for all of us to cherish what we have and to continue moving forward in a positive manner. Roberts expressed her gratitude towards her guest starring role on Friends, noting that the cast was exceptionally welcoming during her time on the show.
