As fans around the world mourn the loss of beloved actor Matthew Perry, known for his role as the sarcastically charming Chandler Bing on Friends, co-creator Marta Kauffman has come forward with her own concerns about the star's well-being during the much-anticipated reunion special in 2021.
The NBC sitcom, which concluded in 2004, left a real mark in the world of television. When the reunion special aired, it wasn't just a trip down memory lane for viewers; it was a poignant moment for the cast, especially for Perry, who was found dead in his hot tub on Saturday, October 28, at the age of 54.
Perry's on-screen return for Friends: The Reunion was his first since his appearance in the 2017 mini-series The Kennedy’s After Camelot. Kauffman's recent interview with Hoda Kotb on the TODAY show, which aired on NBC on Wednesday (November 1), shed light on her concerns. “I was concerned about what point in the cycle he was in at that moment,” Kauffman revealed, referencing Perry's long-standing battle with addiction.
Kauffman recalls speaking to Perry just weeks before his death:Ahead of the reunion, Perry had undergone emergency dental surgery, which resulted in his speech being slurred during the special. This aspect of his health battle was candidly addressed by Perry himself in an ABC interview with Diane Sawyer last year, where he insisted that despite his condition, he “couldn’t not show up.”
Perry's candid memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing, first published in 2022, gives an insight into his journey through addiction, including 15 rehab stays and multiple brushes with death. His battle is not just a personal narrative but a stark representation of the pressures and perils that often accompany fame.
Only weeks before his untimely death, Kauffman observed that Perry seemed "great" and "in a really good place," which only adds to the tragedy of his passing. In the light of his sobriety at the time, the news of his death has hit many as "so unfair," as Kauffman put it. She had noted a significant improvement in Perry's demeanor and health, including his success in quitting smoking.
Perry's struggles, which he so openly documented, highlight the relentless grip of addiction, especially under the "white-hot flame of fame," as he described it. His book begins with a harrowing acknowledgment: “Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name,” he wrote. "My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”
Perry's death is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the ongoing fight many face against addiction. It is a testament to his courage that he shared his struggles, hoping his story could make a difference in the lives of others battling similar demons.
Perry's portrayal of Chandler Bing brought laughter to millions, but his off-screen battle and the vulnerability he displayed in sharing it will continue to touch hearts and inspire courage in those who struggle in silence.