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Remembering Matthew Perry:
A Look Back on His Career as ‘Friends’ Celebrates 30th Anniversary
By: Daedrian McNaughton | Premier Guide Miami
As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of Friends, we remember Matthew Perry, whose portrayal of Chandler Bing became iconic. On October 8, 2012, I had the opportunity to interview him for Premier Guide Miami about his series Go On, which aired Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on NBC.
What drew you to this role?
Matthew Perry: “It was just written really well. I was looking to do a drama and had met with all the networks during the development season. When I was sent this script, I could tell from the number of pages that it was a comedy. I called my manager and asked why he sent it to me—he just said to read it. I realized it had all the elements I was looking for: it was funny and posed a big dramatic challenge. Plus, I knew Scott Silveri from his time on Friends; he wrote a great script, so I was in.”
After Friends ended, it seemed like there was a curse preventing its cast from finding hit shows. Did it take a while for you to find the right project?
Matthew Perry: “Yes, I think that idea of a curse was just reporters searching for a story. We six were some of the luckiest people on the planet. Friends was magical; nothing will ever be like it again. After that, I searched for good projects. I did Studio 60, which everyone thought would be amazing, but it didn’t work out. Then I tried creating my own show, Mr. Sunshine, which creatively worked but didn’t attract an audience. Eventually, I learned that someone else could create a show for me better than I could.”
You often mentioned dark themes in your work. How do you deal with tough times in your life? Do you pull from those experiences when working on comedy?
Matthew Perry: Oh sure. Yes, you pull from everything. I think, you know, just to be a comedian or somebody who’s trying to be funny, you have to have some darkness behind it. So, I think all comedians are able to draw on that, and that’s why some comedians who do dramatic work can do some of the best dramatic work, like Robin Williams and, you know, a bunch of others—Michael Keaton and Tom Hanks and all of that stuff. So, in this show, I certainly draw on my past, and it helps.
Can you tell us about your involvement with the National Association of Drug Court Professionals?
Matthew Perry: Sure. That is Drug Court, and I’m— I guess the thing that I’m labeled is an ambassador for them. It’s a group of judges across the country that take first-time nonviolent drug offenders and put them into treatment programs instead of just throwing them into jail. I’m really proud to be a part of that whole thing because it’s a no-brainer. Everybody agrees that it’s a good thing. It’s a bipartisan effort; Republicans and Democrats both are behind it. And it’s good because it just doesn’t throw these drug addicts away; it puts them into a treatment facility where they can become valuable members of society instead of just putting them in prison.
In the past, you had a tendency to divert personal moments into jokes. Is that still a trait of yours?
Matthew Perry: “It used to be. Chandler’s character often turned serious situations into jokes, which worked well in a sitcom. Ryan King, my character in Go On, starts with that same tendency but eventually realizes he needs this group of people, making him less likely to joke and more willing to participate.”
When did you first realize you were funny?
Matthew Perry: Oh, well, I would always be the kid that got in trouble in school, that’s for sure, for joking around. I guess it was in seventh grade that I got put in a play in school in Ottawa, Canada. Greg Simpson was the head theatre guy, and he cast me in a role in that. It was funny, and I felt so good to get laughs. So it was probably then, seventh grade in Ottawa.
What are your three favorite classic TV shows?
Matthew Perry: “I’d say The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Honeymooners, and Lost.”
You’ve continued your role on The Good Wife. How do you balance such different types of roles?
Matthew Perry: I really love doing The Good Wife. I hope that I get to come back and do more. It’s really fun to play a guy who is just so evil. And, you know, I’ve been looking to do both. I like to do comedy and drama, and I got both jobs on the exact same day. I got Go On and The Good Wife both on the same day, and it was a great day. So, I’m really happy with how Go On is going, and, you know, I hope to get to do some more Good Wife episodes in the future too.
Looking back, which character have you enjoyed playing the most?
Matthew Perry: Oh, I mean, I loved playing Chandler. That was, you know, I grew up sort of playing that part. I would say probably, in all honesty, it’s Chandler and this character that I’m playing now, the character of Ryan King. It’s a very sort of deep, enriching character to play because he’s going through so much, and he’s also being very funny about it. So, I guess I would say Chandler and Ryan King.
What do you think connects you so strongly with your audience?
Matthew Perry: Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s sort of a wearing his heart on his sleeve kind of people that I’ve played a lot, and I think people can sort of relate to that journey—maybe not that openness about it, but that journey. I like to play people who say things that normally people don’t say that they’re sort of feeling or thinking but wouldn’t say out loud. And I think that Chandler—both Chandler and Ryan King—have that aspect. When I read Go On, it was almost like, “This is Chandler ten years later if something really bad had happened to him.” And, you know, hopefully both characters look the same, except one looks a little bit older.
By the way, who would you say is your favorite actor?
Matthew Perry: My favorite actor was— is Michael Keaton. Certainly growing up, he— I think in the movie Night Shift, he did something brand new that I hadn’t seen before, and we all sort of steal from that now. Then, you know, in 1987, he did the movies Clean and Sober and Beetlejuice in the same year, and that was when I sort of said, “Wow, that’s what I want to do.” So I think I’d have to say Michael Keaton.
Is there a dream guest star you want on the show?
Matthew Perry: Well, we had asked—Wayne Gretzky, I’d love to have on the show at some point. We’ve talked to David Beckham, and he said that he would do it, so that was very exciting. My favorite athlete of all time I was lucky enough to have on Mr. Sunshine, but maybe we can have him come back on Go On too, which—who is Jimmy Connors. So, I guess my hope is that we get Jimmy Connors to come back and work with me again, which would be a dream come true.
What is your opinion of Seth MacFarlane, who made fun of your show by calling it “Goon” instead of “Go On” the other day on SNL?
Matthew Perry: Yes, well, he’s hilarious! I didn’t actually think he was making fun of the show; he was more making fun of the guy he was playing. You know, it’s Seth MacFarlane, so if he doesn’t like something, you’re really going to know it. I was nervous when I heard that he mentioned the show, but I felt quite relieved when I saw what the joke was.
As you revisit your past while creating new content, how do you maintain balance in your life?
Matthew Perry: “Finding that balance is crucial. After years in show business, I’ve learned to prioritize what truly matters—my health, friendships, and family. It’s easy to get caught up in work, but taking time for myself and engaging in activities outside of acting helps keep me grounded.”
Looking back at ‘Friends’, do you feel it’s shaped your career in any particular way?
Matthew Perry: “Absolutely. Friends will always be a significant part of my life and career. It taught me so much about collaboration and the power of ensemble work. Plus, the show’s impact on pop culture is undeniable; it opened doors for me and allowed me to take on new challenges. I’m grateful for everything that came from it.”
Any thoughts on Friends as we celebrates its anniversary?
Matthew Perry: “I just want to thank the fans. Their love and support have exceeded anything we could have ever anticipated. It’s astonishing to see how the show continues to resonate with different generations. I hope we can continue to bring laughter and joy, whether through old reruns or new projects.”
With this reflection, Matthew Perry remains a beloved figure in television, embodying both humor and depth. As the legacy of Friends lives on, his contributions will always be celebrated by fans around the globe.