Matthew Perry's tumultuous life and potential untimely demise due to a lifelong battle with alcoholism

Matthew Perry, famously known as Chandler Bing from the hit TV series Friends, was not just a beloved comedic actor, but also struggled with addiction. In his memoir titled “The Big, Terrible Thing”, Perry opened up about his battle with addiction, giving it equal significance as his successful career in showbiz. Despite largely stepping away from the limelight, Perry remains an iconic figure in popular culture.

When I picked up Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing last year, I was struck by the raw and unsettling nature of Perry’s memoir. The juicy details of his life as a celebrity were tempered by moments of humor and self-deprecation, which were hallmarks of the character he portrayed. However, the other part of the book was a grim portrayal of a man who was determined to destroy himself. Despite my discomfort, I couldn’t put the book down.

When you’re earning $1m a week, he wrote, you can’t afford to have the 17th drink

In his own words, Perry described himself as an addict who was quick to become hooked. He had his initial taste of alcohol at the young age of 14 and was prescribed painkillers after a jetski accident, which led to an addiction. While under the influence, he drove a red Mustang convertible through the desert and experienced a feeling of “complete and utter euphoria”. Despite the danger, he was left with the desire to repeat the experience, thinking “If this doesn’t kill me, I’m doing this again.” Fortunately, his recklessness did not result in any harm at that time.

Matthew Perry, the brilliant young actor who starred in Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, passed away at the age of 54 in his Los Angeles home, reportedly due to drowning. In the wake of Perry’s untimely death, tributes from his friends and fans have poured in, focusing on his remarkable character and talent. Morgan Fairchild, who played Perry’s on-screen mother, mourned the loss of the gifted actor, while Mira Sorvino remembered his singular wit. Even Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who was acquainted with Perry during childhood and was allegedly beaten up by him, paid homage to their schoolyard games and thanked him for all the laughs.

Perry’s career may not have skyrocketed beyond Friends, but his performance in the show was nothing short of outstanding. Amidst a cast of six talented individuals, Perry managed to stand out with his portrayal of Chandler. While anyone can play the role of the witty and sarcastic jokester, Perry brought a unique energy and emotional depth to Chandler that made him truly remarkable.

Despite his deadpan delivery, Matthew Perry’s portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends had a profound impact on American culture, as Perry himself once noted. However, Perry’s comedic timing and physical performances were also exceptional, particularly in his ability to convey the combined anxieties of dating and needing to use the restroom. Furthermore, Perry’s ability to maintain his performance over 10 seasons and 236 episodes, despite struggling with substance abuse issues, is a true testament to his talent.

In his writing, Perry acknowledged that the triumph of Friends, as well as the encouragement from his co-stars and personal friends, played a crucial role in his ability to overcome his struggles. He revealed that he could not have continued as a working actor, as the temptation of drugs would have been too great. However, the immense success of the show and the financial stability it provided made it easier for him to maintain his sobriety. As Perry put it, “When you’re making a million dollars per week, you can’t afford to risk your sobriety for a seventeenth drink.”

Perry faced a challenging role in the ensemble by portraying a platonic friendship between two cynical characters and transforming it into a genuine romantic relationship. While Chandler and Monica’s love story was the focal point of Friends, it stood out from other pairings in the series by avoiding contrived plot devices and strategically timed “breaks.” In both television and real life, it takes more courage to show vulnerability and consistently offer love than it does to succumb to doubt and sporadically express affection. Perry’s portrayal demonstrated that even a witty or unkind character can also possess the qualities of a caring and dependable partner.

Chandler and Monica remain an admirable example of a balanced relationship, despite the fact that the rest of the series may not have aged well. As a teenager, I found it endearing when Chandler expressed his affection for Monica by saying, “They may say you’re high maintenance, but it’s okay because I enjoy maintaining you.” As a woman in her thirties who is far from laid back, this is perhaps the most coveted expression of love I have ever witnessed.

Perry’s character was loved by many, and it’s not hard to see why. In his own words, he felt burdened by the typecasting that came with his role in Friends, but he had come to terms with it as his legacy. When news of his death broke on Sunday, it’s easy to imagine Perry raising an eyebrow at the shock and disbelief. As he once wrote, “I didn’t stand a f***ing chance.”

During the later seasons of Friends, Perry’s behavior on set was a cause for concern. He was often found drunk, high, or hungover, prompting Jennifer Aniston to express her worries. She once said, “‘We can smell it,’ in a kind of weird but loving way.” Even a sober companion assigned to shadow him at work was not enough to prevent incidents such as a read-through being cut short due to Perry’s incoherence. The entire cast eventually staged an intervention. Although Perry did not risk 17 drinks on set, he was known to have tried for 16. When The One With Monica and Chandler’s Wedding aired in May 2001, Perry was residing in rehab.

Despite Perry’s humorous tales about celebrities and his unwavering positivity, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing serves primarily as an addiction memoir that lacks a clear resolution. It feels almost as if the book was written in real-time, with Perry’s colon exploding in July 2019, just three years before the book’s publication. Perry underwent his 14th surgery related to his drug addiction in January 2022, as he candidly states, “I finally have rock-hard abs, but they aren’t from sit-ups.”

As I read Perry’s statements about the satisfaction he found in supporting other addicts, I couldn’t help but notice that his recent history of substance abuse was not as clear. It seemed as though he was deliberately trying to mask his current struggles and emphasize that he had overcome his past challenges. However, even Perry couldn’t ignore the reality that his biggest accomplishment was simply staying alive. Despite his efforts to spin a positive narrative, it was clear that he still had a long way to go in his recovery journey.

Although the book makes attempts to come across as serious and forward-thinking, the last section feels as if Perry is speaking from the afterlife, contemplating the expressions of his dear ones as though he has already departed.

Perry’s death may have come as a shock to the world, but he himself knew that his addiction would be the end of him. He had made this clear in writing a year prior, in a book that sold over six figures. Perry had even expressed surprise that his addiction had not already taken his life.

Perry once shared his viewpoint on drug addiction, stating that there are two types of addicts – those who crave a high and those who long for a sense of tranquility. He was amongst the latter group, preferring opiates over cocaine, as he wanted to feel a sense of euphoria and melt into his couch. One can only hope that he has finally found the happiness he sought, similar to how he felt that morning in his red Mustang.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it’s important to know that help is available. In the US, you can reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 988 via call or text. For those in the UK, Action on Addiction can be contacted at 0300 330 0659. In Australia, the Opioid Treatment Line is available at 1800 642 428, and the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline can be reached at 1800 250 015. Don’t hesitate to seek the support you need to overcome addiction.

Also Read: