Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom "Friends," struggled for years with addiction, a battle chronicled in a new three-part Netflix documentary titled *The One About Matthew Perry*. The series offers an intimate look at Perry’s life, from his early rise to fame through the complexities of his substance abuse and eventual death from a ketamine overdose in 2023 at age 54.
The documentary, set to be released soon, explores the toll addiction took on Perry over several decades. It features interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues, who paint a picture of a man wrestling with deep insecurities despite his public success. According to his sister, Mia Perry Bowick, who appears in the series, Perry spent approximately $7 million over his lifetime in efforts to get sober, including multiple rehab stays, therapy sessions, and numerous surgeries related to his health struggles. She recalls the grief of his funeral, describing how the surviving “Friends” cast members arrived together, holding hands around Perry’s casket in an emotional moment, though none of them participate in the documentary itself.
The absence of the “Friends” cast—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc—from the documentary was notable. Director Mary Robertson confirmed the production team invited them to participate, but they declined, with some sources indicating the actors preferred not to publicly revisit the loss. Aniston reportedly did not want to relive the tragedy in front of a wide audience.
The series also sheds light on how Perry’s addictions began. He started drinking at age 14 against the backdrop of his parents' divorce and escalated to daily drinking by age 18. A significant turning point occurred in 1996 when he sustained back injuries during jet-skiing and was prescribed the opioid Vicodin. Perry described the immediate relief the medication provided and how this eventually led to severe dependency on painkillers, compounding his existing alcohol problems.
Among those interviewed is Doug Draizin, producer of Perry’s 1997 film *When Fools Rush In*, who said he was unaware of the extent of Perry’s struggles at the time, noting only fluctuations in the actor’s weight. Additionally, Marjorie Harris Newman, a friend from Perry’s early years, suggested that his substance use was tied to an internal void that fame alone could not fill.
Writer and producer Jeff Strauss, who worked on the first season of “Friends,” spoke of Perry’s complexity, highlighting the vulnerability he brought to his character Chandler Bing. Strauss said Perry grappled with the contradiction of wanting to be seen but struggling with the exposure fame entailed, a conflict that mirrored his personal challenges.
The documentary provides a nuanced portrait of Perry, revealing the man behind the beloved sitcom character—one whose charm and humor coexisted with a profound battle against addiction and personal pain.