• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  August 19, 1969
• Date of Death:  October 28, 2023

Matthew Perry was an actor, comedian and playwright who achieved stardom with his portrayal of Chandler Bing on the classic NBC sitcom "Friends." In addition to his work on "Friends," Perry starred in "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and several films including "Fools Rush In," "The Whole Nine Yards" and "17 Again."

Matthew Perry's journey to fame and success started long before he became a beloved figure on our television screens. Born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Perry grew up in a family with a strong background in the entertainment industry.

His father, John Bennett Perry, was an actor and former model, while his mother, Suzanne Perry, was a Canadian journalist and press secretary to the Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. With parents who were no strangers to the limelight, it is no surprise that Perry developed a passion for acting from a young age.

However, Perry's childhood was not without its challenges. His parents divorced when he was just a baby, and he was raised primarily by his mother in Ottawa, Canada. Despite this, Perry remained close with his father, often spending summers with him in Los Angeles. It was during these visits that Perry first fell in love with acting, as he accompanied his father on sets and witnessed the magic of filmmaking firsthand.

As he grew older, Perry pursued his acting dreams with unwavering determination. He attended the prestigious Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California, where he honed his craft and performed in school plays. At the age of 15, Perry moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career full-time.

It was clear from the start that Perry had a natural talent for comedy, with his sharp wit and impeccable timing. He landed his first major role in 1987, portraying Chazz Russell in the sitcom "Second Chance." This was followed by various guest appearances in popular shows like "Growing Pains" and "Who's the Boss?"

Despite these early successes, Perry faced numerous rejections and setbacks throughout his career. However, he never lost faith in his abilities and continued to push forward. His breakthrough came in 1994 when he landed the role of Chandler Bing in the sitcom "Friends." This iconic character catapulted Perry to stardom and solidified his status as a comedic genius.

From his humble beginnings in a showbiz family to his rise to fame on "Friends," Matthew Perry's early life and family background played a significant role in shaping the actor he would become.

Matthew Perry's acting career has been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. While he achieved great success and fame through his role as Chandler Bing in "Friends," Perry also faced his fair share of challenges along the way. After the massive success of Friends, Perry struggled to find another role that could match the iconic status of his character. He faced criticism for being typecast and had to work hard to prove his versatility as an actor. Despite the setbacks, Perry continued to push himself and take on diverse roles in both television and film.

Over the years, Perry was a part of numerous projects, some more successful than others. He starred in shows like "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and "The Odd Couple," but unfortunately, they were short-lived. However, he also found success in dramatic roles, such as his portrayal of Ted Kennedy in the television miniseries "The Kennedys: After Camelot."

In addition to his television work, Perry has also ventured into film, taking on roles in movies like "The Whole Nine Yards" and "17 Again." While not all of his film projects have been critical or commercial successes, Perry has proven time and again that he is a talented actor capable of delivering powerful performances.

While Perry tended to keep his personal life private, a few high-profile romances have made headlines over the years. One of Perry's most well-known relationships was with actress Julia Roberts in the mid-1990s. The two met on the set of the movie "The Whole Nine Yards" and quickly became a Hollywood power couple. However, their relationship was short-lived, and they ended things amicably after a year together. Following his relationship with Roberts, Perry had a highly publicized romance with actress and model Lizzy Caplan. The couple dated from 2006 to 2012 and were often seen together at events and red carpets. However, they eventually decided to go their separate ways, citing their busy schedules as the reason for their split.

Matthew Perry got candid about his life, career and struggles with addiction in his intense 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing." The then 53-year-old Friends star opened up like never before in the book, detailing his tumultuous family life, his long-speculated ups and downs with drug and alcohol abuse, and his relationships with stars like Julia Roberts and Valerie Bertinelli. The overarching message, however, was from a man grateful to be alive after all he'd been through, and eager to pull the veil back on the real-life person behind one of the world's most beloved sitcom characters. In fact, as Perry told The New York Times ahead of the book's release, some of his happiest moments on "Friends" were surrounded by some of his darkest times in real life.

Matthew Perry died October 28, 2023 at the age of 54 from an apparent drowning at his home in Los Angeles.

Matthew Perry's Religious Beliefs

Exploring Matthew Perry's deep Christian faith reveals a side of the actor that often goes unnoticed by the public. Perry has been open about his faith and the impact it has had on his life. Raised in a Christian household, he credits his religious beliefs for providing him with strength and guidance throughout his career and personal journey.

Perry has spoken about how his faith has helped him navigate the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. It has served as a grounding force, reminding him of what truly matters in life. He has often expressed gratitude for his blessings and acknowledges that his success is not solely a result of his own efforts, but also a product of divine intervention.