Remembering a Legend: Matthew Perry
design: Miranda Fournier
The One Where Our Hearts are Broken.
by LEILA YANG ★ NOVEMBER 14, 2023
I think we can agree that we were all left speechless on October 28th when the news broke that Friends actor, Matthew Perry, drowned in his LA home and tragically passed away at only 54 years old.
No one could have perfected the character, Chandler Bing, better than Matthew Perry. After ten seasons, the Friends community had come to the conclusion that Chandler was an incredible character, played so seamlessly that the show's chemistry would have been completely altered if Perry wasn’t the one who played him.
Perry was one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors and although he had many outstanding roles in other films and television shows, his work on Friends remains superior. However, Perry has stated that he didn’t want to just be remembered as Chandler from Friends, but that he wanted to be remembered as someone who brought light and happiness into the world when people just weren't moments weren’t at their best.
“The best thing about me, bar none, is that if somebody comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say ‘yes’ and follow up and do it,” Perry said.
“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,” he said.
“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. I know it won’t happen, but it would be nice.”
Perry has struggled with addiction himself and since then, he has opened up a lot about his personal life and has been able to help those who are going through the same experiences, help them feel less alone and knowing that there’s hope. That is what Matthew Perry did as a person and it is truly so inspirational.
Many people associate the Friends characters as some of the first characters they identified with in their lives. Many grew up with Friends playing on their TV and this show has helped so numerous individuals through difficult times with such simple humor. This is why people consider his death as if they’ve lost a friend. His role as Chandler brought so many smiles, taking traits from himself and putting those into his role as a goofy, nervous with the kindest soul. He wasn’t perfect, nor did he want to be or ever claim to be - he was just Chandler and Chandler is more than we could have asked for.
Matthew Perry will be honored for not only his work on screen, but more so, his selfless actions off the screen. With such a passionate and impactful platform, Perry has always been known as a loving person who always puts others before himself. Whether it's through his iconic roles, his dedication to his craft, or his acts of kindness, the legacy of Perry is a vital impact to the power of films and shows and has left a lasting imprint on our hearts and minds. As we pay our respects to the contributions of Matthew Perry, we are reminded of the beauty and richness he brought to our lives, leaving us with a legacy of inspiration and emotion that will continue to resonate for generations to come.