Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Matthew Perry says you can tell which season of Friends he’s on ‘lots of pills’

Actor has been candid about his behind-the-scenes struggle with addiction during his time on the sitcom

Annabel Nugent
Friday 28 October 2022 07:58 BST
Comments
Matthew Perry opens up about time Jennifer Aniston confronted him over addictions

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Matthew Perry has said that fans can differentiate between the times he was drinking alcohol or taking drugs by watching Friends.

The actor – who played Chandler Bing in the 10-season comedy series, which ran from 1994 to 2004 – has opened up about his mental health struggles.

In his forthcoming autobiography Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry writes extensively about his widely publicised addiction to alcohol and painkillers.

Perry, 53, said that fans of the show can tell whether he was drinking alcohol or taking drugs by “gauging” his weight and tracking his facial hair throughout the show.

“You can track the trajectory for my addiction if you gauge my weight from season to season,” Perry wrote in an extract from the book published by Page Six.

“When I’m carrying weight, it’s alcohol; when I’m skinny, it’s pills; when I have a goatee, it’s a lot of pills.”

In series three which aired in 1996, Perry’s character grows a goatee for part of the season.

Also in his autobiography, Perry writes about the medical emergency that caused him to exit the Netflix blockbuster Don’t Look Up, which he was due to star in opposite Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill.

The actor said that his heart stopped beating for five minutes due to a mixture of the anaesthetic drug propofol and the opioid hydrocodone.

Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox in 1996, the year ‘Friends’ began
Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox in 1996, the year ‘Friends’ began (AFP via Getty Images)

Perry has also apologised for remarks he made about Keanu Reeves in his memoir, having written: “Why is it that the original thinkers like River Phoenix and Heath Ledger die, but Keanu Reeves still walks among us?”

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is out on 1 November.

If you or someone you know is suffering from drug addiction, you can seek confidential help and support 24-7 from Frank, by calling 0300 123 6600, texting 82111, sending an email or visiting their website here.

In the US, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be reached at 1-800-662-HELP.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in