The actor was elementary school classmates with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was a professional tennis player and published a memoir in his later years.
Becoming a public icon with his role as Chandler Bing in “Friends”, many fans were surprised by the premature passing of actor Matthew Perry. Died at the age of 54. Up to now, authorities are still investigating the cause of the late actor’s death.
But his legacy lives on. As the sweater-wearing Chandler on “Friends,” his signature brand of sarcastic humor made Chandler a character you grew to love over time, winning you over with his adorable, albeit ironic, jokes. tomorrow and self-mockery. One of the most popular sitcoms of the 90s and early 2000s, this role defined Matthew’s career. But his life is not only on the screen, as Joey’s roommate or Monica’s lover. Here are 9 facts you didn’t know about the late actor.
Matthew Perry is Canadian-American
The child of American actor John Bennett Perry and Canadian Suzanne Perry, Matthew was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1969 and was eventually brought to Ottawa, Canada. His parents separated about a year after he was born, then both remarried. Matthew spent most of his childhood in Ottowa, Ontario with his mother before moving to California during his teenage years with his father.
Childhood with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Matthew’s mother, Suzanne Perry, is a journalist who worked as Press Secretary for Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. When he grew up, Matthew studied with Justin Trudeau – the current Prime Minister of Canada. The two boys were friends in elementary school. But when Matthew turned 10, he started acting out – smoking, stealing money and even confronting Justin Trudeau with another classmate. Later, when both became politicians and actors, they still did not forget to tease each other and interact on Twitter.
In response to Matthew’s sudden passing, Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter: “The passing of Matthew Perry is shocking and sad. I will never forget the games we used to play in the schoolyard and I know, people around the world will never forget the joy he brought to them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. I was loved.”
Growing up, Matthew was an excellent tennis player
Despite his unhealthy lifestyle at the time, Matthew remained a star tennis player throughout his early years. He practices tennis every day for up to 10 hours a day. While in Canada, he was pursuing a career as a junior tennis player and was potentially considering a professional tennis career. He changed direction when he saw that in America, this is a sport with a quite high competitive rate.
Matthew Perry’s youth.
In 1979, Matthew Perry began his journey as a child actor in Los Angeles
After moving with his father to California at age 15, Matthew stopped playing tennis and instead studied acting at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, following in the footsteps of his father, an actor and former model. In high school, Matthew also took several improv classes in Los Angeles. Matthew found success in a number of child roles after coming to Hollywood, starting in 1979 with “240-Robert”. Next, he participated in television series such as “Boys Will be Boys”, “Sydney” and “Home Free”.
He almost didn’t participate in “Friends” due to scheduling conflicts
Matthew was originally cast for the series’ pilot episode titled “LAX 2194”, so he couldn’t get the role in “Six of One” – the previous name for “Friends”. But when “LAX 2194” flopped, the actor rehearsed for the role of Chandler Bing and was cast in the role, leading to the most successful decade of his career.
Due to the popularity of the TV series starring co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, Matthew has gained global fame. The series ran for 10 years and later the series earned about $1 million per episode for each main actor. The success of “Friends” also brought Matthew more work as an actor, leading to him landing roles in the films “Fools Rush In”, “Three to Tango” and “The Whole Nine Yards”.
The cast of “Friends” photographed at the 1995 People’s Choice Awards.
He struggled with substance abuse for many years
After a jet-ski accident in 1997, Matthew became addicted to Vicodin. His addiction caused him to lose weight seriously, weighing only 58kg after taking up to 55 Vicodin pills a day. In 1999, the actor was hospitalized, struggling with alcoholic pancreatitis and erectile dysfunction.
In 2001, he paused production on “Friends” and “Serve Sara,” a film in which he starred, for two months when he went to a rehabilitation center for alcohol and various drugs.
After that, Matthew became an advocate against drug abuse
Overcoming substance abuse, Matthew became an advocate against drug abuse. He serves as a celebrity spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, lobbying for funding for drug courts. At the old mansion in Malibu, Matthew also opened the Perry House rehab center. This earned him the Recovery Champion award in May 2013.
He had a near-death experience in 2018
In 2018, Matthew was hospitalized for five months because his intestines ruptured due to opiate abuse, leaving him in a coma for two weeks. Doctors told his relatives that he had only a 2% chance of survival, but fortunately he pulled through after a long battle with his health problems.
Throughout his life, Matthew struggled with ongoing substance abuse, which took a toll on both his health and finances. It is estimated that in 2022, he spent more than $9 million on his addiction, including surgery, detox, and therapy.
