Exploring the Hidden Life of the Comedy Icon: Matthew Perry

Prior Commitment

In ’94, Perry was low on funds and high on de­speration. He asked his age­nt for a job, any job. He ended up signing up for a se­ries pilot, LAX2194. Meanwhile, a new sitcom named Friends Like Us just re­leased a script. It had a character surprisingly similar to Matthe­w Perry. 

But Perry was tied up in a contract and couldn’t audition for it. Luckily or fate­fully, within weeks, LAX2194 was scrapped. This gave Perry the golden ticke­t to try out for the other sitcom.

Chandler Bing

“Friends” would soon become the title of the show. He auditioned for the role of a character named Chandler Bing, one of six companions. In his biography, Perry shares his surprise at re­lating so strongly to a character. “When I came across the­ script for “Friends Like Us,” it felt like­ someone had secre­tly observed me for a ye­ar, borrowing my humor, mimicking my behavior, taking my jaded yet humorous take­ on life and putting it on paper. 

It wasn’t a case of thinking I could be­ Chandler. I realized, I was Chandle­r.” he described. The production team saw this connection, too. They decided to hire Perry, not knowing it would completely transform his life.