On Saturday, October 28th, the world lost a friend when beloved comedian, actor, and writer Matthew Perry died from an apparent drowning at his home in Los Angeles. Perry was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the popular television sitcom Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004. Perry’s portrayal of Chandler made him a household name, earning him critical acclaim.
Matthew Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts on August 19, 1969. He was raised in Ottowa, Ontario, by his mother and started acting in high school. Besides his work on Friends, Matthew Perry had a very successful career acting in different movies, TV series, and stage performances. He appeared in movies such as 17 Again and The Whole Nine Yards. Perry’s portrayal on Friends won him praise from critics and led to multiple nominations for awards. For example, an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, as well as the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series which he won with the rest of the cast of Friends. He was later nominated for two more Emmys for his performance in the drama series, The West Wing.
Despite the success of his career, Matthew Perry struggled with personal challenges, including alcohol and opioid addiction. However, he has also taken part in fundraising efforts and activism relating to addiction and rehabilitation.
Matthew Perry was an advocate and an active voice in raising awareness about addiction and supporting individuals in their journey to recovery. He co-founded the Perry House in 2013. The Perry House is a sober living facility in Malibu, California. It provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals in early recovery from addiction, helping them transition to a clean lifestyle.
Additionally, Perry has been open about his struggles with addiction during his lifetime. He has used his platforms to spread awareness and speak out about his personal challenges. By sharing his personal experiences, he has helped reduce the stigma around addiction and mental health struggles. He has also encouraged many others to speak out about the topic. In 2013, Matthew Perry testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on the importance of drug courts and the need for addiction treatment. He promoted better access to addiction treatment and recovery programs by drawing on his personal experiences.
Perry is on a list of many celebrities in Hollywood who have fallen victim to the cruelty of drug addiction over the past century. So why is drug addiction so prevalent in Hollywood, both now and in the past? In the 1990s, when Friends started airing, the culture in Hollywood at the time was a high-pressure, celebrity-driven environment of the entertainment industry, along with the glamorization of substance use. This created a culture where drugs were often readily available and accepted as a means of coping with the demands of fame. A societal movement toward more accepting views toward drug usage occurred in the 1990s, further normalizing its existence and prevalence. This led to high drug addiction rates among Hollywood celebrities, which was further exacerbated by the lack of accessible and efficient addiction treatment programs, as well as the attraction of an indulgent lifestyle.
Today, drug addiction in Hollywood still remains an issue, though there have been notable changes and improvements. There is increased awareness around the topic, and the entertainment industry has become more helpful in providing resources for mental health and addiction issues. Additionally, by openly discussing issues around mental health addiction, celebrities increase awareness, which allows for stigma to be combatted. Nonetheless, the demands of celebrity status and access to drugs still cause worry around addiction, and drug addiction remains a prominent issue in Hollywood, though with an increased focus on addressing the problem and offering assistance to those impacted.
In January 2022, Perry released a book titled Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir. The memoir follows his childhood, his rise to fame, and his struggles with addiction.
Perry’s role on Friends connected him with an international community because of the positivity and enthusiasm that his character, Chandler, brought to the show. While he is widely remembered as Chandler Bing, Perry does not want that to be the only thing that people remember him by. The Matthew Perry Foundation just recently opened to continue his legacy and goal of helping struggling addicts. The foundation’s website includes a collection of Perry’s quotes, including one that he said last year: “When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned, I want to help others to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I will live the rest of my life proving that.”
