How Much Do You Know About Matthew Perry?

Matthew Perry's memoir, titled "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," was published in October 2022. This memoir delves into his life, career, and personal experiences, becoming a bestseller on platforms like Amazon and The New York Times charts.

Matthew Perry's birth name is Matthew Langford Perry. He was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Langford is his middle name, which often confuses people who are not familiar with his full name.

Matthew Perry held agnostic beliefs, mentioning that he believed in an unspecified "higher power" that he referred to as "God." He expressed having a very close relationship with this higher power. He identified himself as "a seeker," indicating his spiritual exploration and quest for deeper understanding.

Matthew Perry played the character Matt Albie in the TV show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. This role allowed Perry to showcase his dramatic acting skills in a behind-the-scenes look at a fictional sketch comedy show.

Matthew Perry starred alongside Salma Hayek in the romantic comedy movie Fools Rush In. The film tells the story of two strangers who have a one-night stand in Las Vegas and face unexpected challenges when they discover the woman is pregnant. Perry's performance showcases his comedic timing alongside Hayek's charm.

Matthew Perry's first credited role came in 1979 when he played a small part as a child actor in the TV series "240-Robert," marking the beginning of his journey in the world of acting.

In 1989, Matthew Perry appeared in a three-episode arc on the TV series "Growing Pains," where he portrayed the character Sandy, who was the boyfriend of Carol Seaver. Tragically, Sandy's storyline involved a drunk-driving crash that led to his death in the hospital.

When Matthew Perry was 10 years, he started misbehaving. He stole money, smoked, let his grades slip, and beat up fellow student and future Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau. In his memoir, he revealed that he became an alcoholic at the young age of 14 and was drinking every day by age 18.

Matthew Perry played the character Oscar Madison in the TV show The Odd Couple. The show is a modern-day reimagining of the classic play and subsequent film, following the lives of two mismatched roommates. 

Matthew Perry co-created and starred in the short-lived sitcom Mr. Sunshine. The show aired in 2011 and followed the life of Ben Donovan, the manager of a second-rate sports arena in San Diego. Despite its promising cast, the series was canceled after one season. He played the lead role of a middle-aged man with an identity crisis.

In 2013, Matthew Perry received the Champion of Recovery Award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for his advocacy for rehabilitation.

While attending high school, Matthew Perry honed his acting skills by taking improvisational comedy classes at L.A. Connection in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, which laid the foundation for his future career in the entertainment industry.

Matthew Perry portrayed Ted Kennedy in the TV miniseries The Kennedys: After Camelot. The show chronicles the lives of the Kennedy family following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Perry's performance as Ted Kennedy received critical acclaim for capturing the complex emotions and struggles of the late senator.

Matthew Perry publicly struggled with cocaine addiction for many years, entering rehab multiple times. He has since spoken out about his recovery journey, becoming an advocate for addiction awareness and mental health support.

Matthew Perry's appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2009 had an unexpected outcome. During the show, he gifted Ellen an Xbox 360 and a copy of Fallout 3. This thoughtful gesture caught the attention of the game studio Obsidian Entertainment, which subsequently cast him as the voice of the character Benny in the popular video game "Fallout: New Vegas."