“The one where we lost a friend”
Everyone’s favourite Emmy-nominated comfort character, Matthew Perry, who championed his role as the witty and loveable “Chandler Bing” in the iconic sitcom, “Friends” has sadly taken his last bow. “Could we be” any more grateful for the joy he brought us, but nevertheless heartbroken for a loss that is as personal as our own? It’s as if we all lost our own collective friend.
Many of us grew up with Chandler Bing’s one-liners, playful banter, and undeniable charm. He taught us the art of sarcasm and lit up our TV screens, never missing an opportunity to make us laugh in the most unexpected moments.
The world of entertainment lost a good one and watching “Friends” will never be the same. His warmth and unparalleled sense of humour will continue to live on, as always, ensuring that he is never truly gone. We remember not just the actor, but the man he was: a soul who touched our hearts.
The fun guy behind the laughter
Matthew Perry, the son of actor John Bennet Perry and Suzanne Marie Langford, was born on 19 August 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA. As a boy, his charm and quick wit shone brightly from a young age, hinting at the future star he would soon grow into.
His walk to fame was not without its challenges; in fact, Perry said that he craved fame, so he could win over his addiction through the power of being known – “I wanted fame more than anybody in the world. Steam would come out of my ears, I wanted it so badly’’.
However, not to his surprise, the thing that was supposed to free him from his battle with substance abuse fell short.
“I got it, and six months later I go, ‘Oh, this is not fixing what I thought it would fix’’, Matthew Perry said on the American talk show “The View” where he openly voiced his battle with addiction.
He also wrote a life-changing memoir “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing”, where he speaks about the intimate details of his life as well as a hand extended out to anyone wrestling with sobriety – a book that fans have been anxiously waiting for.
Perry also says that he would sometimes arrive on set “insanely hungover”. Nevertheless, his determination and unprecedented talent set him down a path to the pinnacle of comedy and success.
Chandler Bing: The character that will live on
The turning point in Matthew Perry’s career was his renowned role in the timeless soap opera, “Friends” as he portrayed an awkward and lonely guy who used his sarcastic remarks and jokes as a shield to hide his sadness and discomfort – “Hi, I’m Chandler Bing. I make jokes when I’m uncomfortable”. Chandler Bing was the King of snark and a skill for quipping that was unmatched, alongside his fierce and loyal love for his friends. His fans adored him.
The show aired from 1994- 2004 and achieved unsurpassed popularity, everyone was indeed a fan, it was hard not to be, and “ The Chan Chan Man” was the heart of it. Chandler brought to life the personality and struggles of many of his fans who found him relatable and probably felt the same way in life – easily distracted, a bit insecure, and afraid of commitment with a low conscientious score. With his sarcastic one-liners and self-deprecating humour, he got millions at his feet with adoration and praise, bawling from laughter. Perry’s impeccable timing of his jokes and ability to deliver punchlines with a straight face made Chandler Muriel Bing one of the most beloved and iconic comedic characters.
He had many signature catchphrases but one of them that will remain engraved in our memories is the timeless – “Could I BE any more…”, which is imitated and widely quoted by fans even after the show came to an end. Chandler wasn’t unforgettable for just his humour but his metamorphosis and growth from a single commitment-phobic young man to a loving husband and caring father. His character development and transformation struck a chord in the hearts of many, and gave hope to people who were just like him, thanks to his quirks and vulnerabilities that reflect events and experiences from real life. All in all, making him a fan favourite.
Matthew Perry: The versatile talent
Matthew was indeed not a one-trick pony, and even though “Friends” was the highlight of his career, he continued to leave a mark on both film and television industries. Following the show’s success, Perry transitioned from comedy to drama and played the lead in movies like “The Whole Nine Yards” and appeared in other drama television series like “ The Good Wife’ and “The West Wing” where he exemplified his versatility as an actor.
He also wrote and acted in “ The End of the Longing” where he was applauded for his remarkable work. His performance in the play was said to be exceptional.
His struggle with demons and advocacy
Matthew Perry publicly struggled with addiction throughout his career, and his voyage to recovery was not without its highs and lows. He opened up in his book last year about how God helped him overcome his addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs.
He recounted in his memoir that he had an encounter with God in his room as he whispered “Show me that you are here, God please help me”. Perry stated that he felt “safe and taken care of” after a very long time. Perry credited this experience as the reason he stayed sober for the next two years. His six favourite words in recovery were “Trust God, clean house, and help others”.
Perry’s advocacy, honesty, and transparency about his addiction will continue to make a positive impact on countless lives. Through his own experiences of substance abuse, he has raised awareness, highlighted the importance of seeking help, and inspired generations struggling with addiction to address their problems so that they too can be free from such issues.
The spirit of his legacy endures
His untimely death at just 54 years due to suspected drowning hits us with a huge blow. As a “Friends” fanatic, and someone who mostly turned the show on for Chandler’s hysterical nature and fun-loving presence, I will among many, many others, truly miss him. He made us giggle so much so, that we’d tear up from all the laughter, and now that he’s gone we will continue to watch “Friends”‘ and do the same, but this time with heavy hearts.
“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” ~ Matthew Perry
As much as we love ‘Chanandler Bong’ for his on-screen persona, let’s take a moment to remember him for who he really was.
(Tashia Bernardus)