In an unearthed interview, the late actor Matthew Perry, renowned for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” revealed a conflicted perspective on his substantial earnings of $1 million per episode. Perry, who passed away on Oct. 28 at the age of 54, opened up about the mixed feelings and guilt associated with negotiating the historic paychecks alongside his co-stars.
Speaking in an exit interview from 2004, Perry expressed, “The worst part of it was feeling a little guilty, like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m going here to do something I love.’” This candid revelation resurfaced in PEOPLE’s recent Friends special edition.
Perry, known for his wit and charm, reflected on the joyous experience of filming the 10-season sitcom alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer. Beyond the financial perks, he emphasized that the creative experience of being on the show likely played a crucial role in saving his life.
In a 2022 cover story with PEOPLE, Perry delved into the profound impact of Friends on his life, stating, “I don’t belittle how fun the experience has been on Friends. And the money was amazing. Just the creative experience of being on the show probably saved my life.”
Open about his struggle with addiction, Perry highlighted the responsibility that came with his significant earnings, noting that the demanding schedule curtailed excessive behavior. He humorously stated, “When you’re making a million dollars a week, you can’t drink the 37th drink. You have to go home and go to sleep. … That was the greatest job in the world.”
Despite the fame and fortune, Perry candidly admitted that he would willingly trade it all to avoid addiction. This revelation underscores the complexity of his journey, both in the spotlight and in grappling with personal challenges.
Matthew Perry’s passing on Oct. 28 led to an outpouring of grief from his Friends co-stars, who described themselves as more than just castmates but a family deeply devastated by the unimaginable loss. Perry’s funeral took place on Nov. 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, with all five of his Friends co-stars in attendance. The legacy of Matthew Perry lives on not only through his iconic portrayal of Chandler Bing but also through his honest reflections on the intricacies of fame, guilt, and creative redemption.
