The Reason Why Matthew Perry Didn’t Want to be Remembered for ‘Friends’

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Last Saturday, October 28, we received some terrible news: Matthew Perry, the actor who brought the iconic Chandler Bing to life in the legendary sitcom «Friends,» was found dead in his jacuzzi at his residence in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, as reported by the TMZ portal. The cause, although drowning has been reported, is still under investigation.

This is a truly tragic situation that has touched millions of people around the world, as Matthew, through his famous character, was a friend to several generations, a timeless symbol in the collective imagination that reminds us that life comes to an end, that even the closest and everyday moments, like those we lived with him and his friends in fiction and in real life – Monica (Courteney Cox), Ross (David Schwimmer), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) in that Central Perk cafe – can come to an end. Unfortunately, that’s what life is about. His colleagues have not yet spoken, but a statement from the cast of the famous series is expected in the next few hours.

Perry’s passing has brought the public’s attention back to the actor’s tumultuous history that spanned more than three decades, including a long history of alcoholism that eventually led to drug addiction. A situation that brought him to the brink of death and that he also went through during the filming of the 10 seasons of «Friends.» This is one of the reasons why Matthew «couldn’t watch the series» and has led him not to want his legacy to be just that.

The Reason why Matthew Perry Doesn’t want to be Remembered for ‘Friends’

Following the publication of his memoir, «Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing» (2022), where Perry poured out his difficult experiences surviving addiction and tremendous alcohol and drug tolerance, he explained that he had reached a point where he was taking 55 Vicodin pills a day, weighed only 128 lbs, and barely remembered three of the 10 seasons of the famous sitcom. He also openly explored his insecurities, his deep fear of not being enough and of being alone.

During one of the book presentation conferences at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto, Matthew offered Tom Power one of his most sincere interviews, where the actor revealed what he would really like his legacy to be when he passes away.

«When I die, I know people will talk about Friends, Friends, Friends. And I’m glad of that, happy I’ve done some solid work as an actor, as well as given people multiple chances to make fun of my struggles on the world wide web… but 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,» confessed the actor.

Perry worked hard to overcome his own challenges but also to help others, opening the Perry House in Malibu, a sober living facility for men with substance abuse issues to attend mediation programs and workshops to overcome addiction. He also wrote a play based on his life, «The End of Longing,» which premiered in February 2016 and in 2017 off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, with which he aimed to send a message to the world about the reality behind addiction.

In this way, Matthew left us with a profound and symbolic message. While we remember and miss Chandler Bing, the witty young man who always brought a smile to our faces, the loyal and agile friend we all wish to have, in reality, the person who portrayed him was fighting a very different battle and deserves to be equally remembered.

Forever in our memory, rest in peace Matthew Perry.