Matthew Perry (August 19, 1969 – October 28, 2023) was a prominent American and Canadian actor, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom Friends (1994–2004). He received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his performances in The West Wing and The Ron Clark Story.
Perry co-created and starred in Mr. Sunshine and Go On, while also reviving The Odd Couple. Struggling with addiction, he became an advocate for recovery. Perry passed away in 2023 from acute ketamine effects, leading to legal charges against five individuals connected to the drug.
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Matthew Perry Net Worth
At the time of his death, Matthew Perry had a net worth of $120 million. After the first season of Friends, he bought his first LA home for $2 million, selling it in 2001. In 1999, he purchased a 6,500-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $3.2 million, later selling it for $6.9 million.
He bought a West Hollywood condo from Elton John for $1.7 million, selling it in 2014 for $5.7 million. In 2017, he acquired a $20 million penthouse, later sold to Rihanna for $21.6 million.
Early life
Matthew Langford Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His mother, Suzanne Morrison, a Canadian journalist, and his father, John Bennett Perry, an American actor, separated when he was a year old. Raised primarily by his mother in Ottawa, he attended Rockcliffe Park Public School and Ashbury College.
Perry struggled with behavioral issues from a young age and began drinking alcohol at 14. He excelled in tennis, becoming a top junior player in Canada before moving to Los Angeles at 15 to pursue acting, studying at the Buckley School.
Career
Matthew Perry initially committed to the pilot LAX 2194, which focused on a futuristic baggage handling department, making him unavailable for Friends. After LAX 2194 was scrapped, he successfully auditioned for Chandler Bing in Friends at age 24, leading to immense fame and a $1 million-per-episode salary by 2002.
His notable works included The Ron Clark Story and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. He starred in Go On and reprised roles in The Good Wife and The Good Fight before appearing in the Friends reunion special in 2021. Perry published his memoir in 2022.
Personal life
In his memoir, Matthew Perry revealed he became an alcoholic by age 14 and developed a Vicodin addiction after a 1997 jet ski accident. His weight plummeted to 128 pounds as he took up to 55 pills daily. By 2000, he was hospitalized with alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Despite efforts from his Friends castmates, he struggled with substance abuse throughout the show’s run. In 2018, he nearly died from a gastrointestinal perforation. By 2022, he estimated spending $9 million on his addiction, including numerous rehabs and surgeries.
Do Friends cast still get paid?
The cast of “Friends” continues to earn from the show’s reruns. They reportedly pocket around 2% of the $1 billion annual revenue Warner Bros. makes from reruns, which translates to about $20 million a year for each cast member.
Conclusion
Matthew Perry’s journey from being a young actor to one of television’s iconic figures is inspiring. His consistent effort, talent, and smart financial decisions have earned him a place among the wealthiest television personalities. Although he may have left us, his legacy and contribution to the entertainment world remain unparalleled.
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FAQs about Matthew Perry Net Worth
- How much did Matthew Perry make selling his LA condo?
- Perry sold his luxurious penthouse condo in Century City for $21.6 million in 2021, which he had initially purchased for $20 million in 2017.
- How much did Matthew Perry make for The Odd Couple?
- While exact figures are not public, given Perry’s role as an executive producer and his star power, he likely commanded one of the highest salaries for the show.
- What was Matthew Perry’s pay for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip?
- Perry disclosed in his memoir that he negotiated his pay from an initial offer of $50,000 per episode to $175,000 per episode.
- What contributed to Matthew Perry’s fame?
- Perry’s fame can be attributed to his roles in several TV shows and movies, but his portrayal of Chandler Bing in “Friends” was the most significant contributor.
- Does Matthew Perry’s net worth surpass that of all his Friends co-stars?
- No, while Perry has an impressive net worth, Jennifer Aniston has the highest net worth among the “Friends” cast at $320 million.
