A tribute to the late Matthew Perry has been added to streaming, playing before every season of Friends, in remembrance of the beloved actor.
A tribute to the late Matthew Perry has been added to streaming, playing before every season of Friends. The beloved actor, best known for playing Chandler Bing on the popular sitcom, died at the age of 54. Perry was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his Los Angeles home on Saturday. Per law enforcement sources, no foul play is suspected. Since the heartbreaking news first broke, tributes have been shared by those who knew Perry and others who worked with him, and many more who have enjoyed his work over the years.
Now, as confirmed by Variety, a tribute card has been included at the start of each season of Friends on the streaming platform Max. The card, included below, reads: “In memory of Matthew Perry 1969-2023.” It remains on the screen for roughly five seconds before the opening of Friends.
Matthew Perry’s Remembrances Go Beyond His Acting
The actor has been open about his battles with addiction and his long path to sobriety, as Perry discussed it candidly in a 2022 memoir and the subsequent press tour. But during that same press tour, as part of an interview on the Q With Tom Power podcast, Perry shared that he would like to be remembered for more than just Chandler on Friends. During that interview, he said in part: “I would like to be remembered as somebody who lived well, loved well, was a seeker. And his paramount thing is that he wants to help people. That’s what I want.”
After his experiences with addiction, and going to rehab in 2001, Perry turned his former Malibu home into a sober living facility named the Perry House. The actor was also a supporter of All Rise, an advocacy organization for justice system innovation addressing substance use and mental health disorders. Since his passing, there have been stories of how Perry helped others during their time of need, including Friends co-star and Simpsons actor Hank Azaria’s mention on Instagram.
Perry’s performance as Chandler is legendary, filled with perfect line delivery and exuding a sort of guarded warmth. But the actor didn’t want to just be remembered for that portrayal, though it’s helped many lifelong fans in its own way. Outside of that, the performer took his own experience and tried to help others through it. Perry shares, in the same podcast interview: “If somebody comes to me and says, ‘I can’t stop drinking, can you help me?’ I can say ‘ yes’ and follow up and do it. When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that to be the first thing that’s mentioned. And I’m gonna live the rest of my life proving that.”
