Matthew Perry: From Child Star to Emmy Nominated Producer
As one of the most beloved TV stars of the ’90s, Matthew Perry needs little introduction. Best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom Friends, Perry made quite a name for himself in Hollywood. But what many fans may not realize is that the talented actor has come a long way since his days on set at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, California. In fact, Perry has recently achieved another major milestone in his impressive career – earning an Emmy nomination for his work as producer on the hit HBO Max show, Emily in Paris.
Born August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Perry grew up in Ottawa, Canada, where he attended Ashbury College for high school. It was here that he first discovered his passion for acting, performing in several student productions and winning awards along the way. After graduating in 1986, Perry moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment.
Perry’s big break came in 1987, when he landed the lead role in the NBC comedy series, Another World. Although the show only lasted for three seasons, it helped launch Perry’s career and led to roles in other popular TV shows of the late ’80s and early ’90s, including Two’s Company, Love & War, and Camp Wilder.
But it wasn’t until 1994, when Perry auditioned for the part of Chandler Bing in Friends, that he truly found fame. Over the course of ten seasons, Perry brought his trademark wit and charm to the character of Chandler, helping to establish Friends as one of the most successful and beloved television shows of all time. In addition to starring on the show, Perry also served as a writer and executive producer, contributing significantly to its success.
After Friends ended its run in 2004, Perry took a brief hiatus from acting to focus on his health. Struggling with addiction problems, he entered rehab twice between 1997 and 2001. During this time, Perry also underwent surgery to repair a ruptured intestine caused by alcohol abuse. Fortunately, with the support of friends and family, Perry successfully overcame his addictions and returned to acting in 2005.
Since then, Perry has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including Fools Rush In, Almost Heroes, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Mr. Sunshine, and The Odd Couple. He has also continued to produce projects, serving as executive producer on shows such as Go On, Mr. Sunshine, and The Class. However, perhaps his biggest accomplishment to date is his recent Emmy nomination for his work on Emily in Paris.
Created by Sex and the City developer Darren Star, Emily in Paris follows the adventures of Emily Cooper (played by Lily Collins) as she navigates her dream job as a marketing executive in Paris. Perry serves as an executive producer alongside Star, and his contributions to the show have earned him critical acclaim. “The producers, writers, cast, crew, directors…everyone involved in making Emily in Paris is thrilled that Matt’s producing work on our show has been recognized by the Television Academy,” said Star in a statement. “He brings so much experience, talent, and humor to everything we do together.”
For Perry, receiving an Emmy nod is a testament to the hard work and dedication he has put into his craft over the past few decades. “It feels good, obviously,” Perry told Variety in a recent interview. “You spend your whole life trying to win an award like this, but I’m proud of everyone else involved with the show too. We all worked really hard.”
Looking back on his career, Perry acknowledges that he has faced his fair share of challenges, both personally and professionally. But he remains optimistic about the future, especially when it comes to continuing to push boundaries and take risks in his creative pursuits. “There are definitely times when you think, ‘Is this worth it?’” Perry admitted. “But if you believe in yourself and you believe in something, you just keep going.”
With his latest achievement, Perry proves once again why he is considered one of the most talented and versatile actors in Hollywood today. And as he embarks on new endeavors, from producing more hit shows to potentially returning to the small screen in a new Friends spinoff, it’s clear that Matthew Perry’s star still burns brightly in the entertainment world. Here’s hoping he continues to light up screens near and far for years to come!