I don’t idolize Hollywood. Most of their elite attitude is loathsome. Also, while I mourn the passing of a great actor and musician I’m not often compelled to write about them. I will, however, pay homage to them at the end of the year. You will also notice that I don’t write about the passing of my family members. They are my family members and their passing is not for public display.
Occasionally one comes along in Hollywood that leaves a lasting impression. It’s rare enough, for me, that I feel the need to write about them. This is one of those times and Matthew Perry is one of those celebrities.
Could this BE any harder?
Two of my favorite shows in college were Fraiser and Friends. Both shows ended the year I graduated which I felt was extremely significant. It truly marked the end of a chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one.
Chandler Bing was my favorite character on Friends; in fact, I think he was the fan favorite. I was always socially awkward toward everyone but especially toward girls. Oftentimes I might say something that sounded better in my head. Chandler Bing was the same way but when he said them out loud it always brought a laugh.
Matthew Perry knew how to draw a laugh. He was the reason I tuned in every week. I always knew Chandler Bing was going to make me laugh. In some ways that made him similar to Robin Williams. Actually, I don’t think I have mourned the passing of a celebrity quite like this since Robin Williams, and Carrie Fisher, passed away.
He Was There For You
Backstage we, as fans, knew Matthew Perry probably had issues with drugs. His drastic weight changes from season to season made it pretty obvious. In an interview with Diane Sawyer (which aired on Hulu exactly one year before his death), he opened up about his addictions to drugs and alcohol. It was hard to hear about the struggles he faced with his addictions and it was difficult to see the toll it took on his body.
In various interviews, he said he didn’t want his legacy to be Chandler Bing, although we all will remember him for that. Instead, he hoped he would be remembered for wanting to help people with addiction. He knows how hard addiction can be from his own struggles and he didn’t want people to go through that alone. It didn’t matter if he helped 100,000 people or just one guy, it would be enough.
He wrote a memoir titled Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing that takes you behind the scenes of his life as an actor and an addict. I look forward to reading it. If you have read it, please leave some of your thoughts.
I’ve been rewatching Friends (again) and finishing the series is going to be much harder now.
Rest In Peace and thank you for being there for us.
/cheers