Matthew Perry, the late actor who passed away on October 28 at the age of 54, was known for his conflicted feelings about earning $1 million per episode of the iconic television show Friends. In one of his interviews, Perry expressed a sense of guilt and conflict about negotiating for the historic paychecks that the cast received.
During an exit interview with Entertainment Weekly before the series finale in 2004, Perry revealed, “The worst part was feeling a little guilty, like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m going here to do something I love.'” Despite acknowledging the incredible financial compensation, he emphasized the importance of the creative experience on the show, stating, “I believe that the creative experience of being on the show saved my life.”
In a 2022 cover story with PEOPLE, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer shared their thoughts on the joys of filming the 10-season comedy, with Perry acknowledging, “And the money was incredible.” However, Perry, who had been open about his struggles with drugs, highlighted the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle under such circumstances, saying, “When you’re making a million dollars a week, you can’t drink the 37th drink. You must return home and sleep… That was the most amazing job in the world.”
Despite the financial success, Perry admitted that he would trade it all to overcome his struggles with addiction, stating, “The fact that I would trade it all to not have this disease is true.”
Matthew Perry was found deceased at his Los Angeles residence on October 28. First responders were called for a cardiac arrest, and no illegal narcotics were discovered. The 911 dispatch audio mentioned “drowning,” adding a mysterious element to the circumstances surrounding his death.
Marta Kauffman, David Crane, and executive producer Kevin Bright released a joint statement expressing their shock and deep sadness over Perry’s passing. They remembered him as a fantastic artist who brought joy, light, and intelligence to every moment, both in his work and in life. Perry was celebrated for being the most amusing person in the room, as well as the sweetest, with a loving and altruistic heart.
