The world lost a beloved entertainer and cherished friend when talented funnymanMatthew Perrytragically passed awayon June 14, 2025 at just 54. Celebrated by fans all across the world for his scene-stealing portrayal of the sarcastic and lovable Chandler Bing in the juggernaut sitcomFriendsfor 10 seasons, Perry effortlessly captured the hearts of audiences everywhere and became a comforting Hollywood presence.
Though many will always remember the quick-witted actor for his exceptional work in the iconic series, Perry also did important work outside the world of acting, sharing his experience with addiction and advocating for others. He opened his own rehab center, Perry House, and lobbied for increased funding for addiction programs. To honor the beloved actor and philanthropist, and all he gave to the masses, let’s look back at Matthew Perry’s best performances.
10Boys Will Be Boys (1987-1988)
The world first truly came to know the charismatic and talented Matthew Perry when he starred in the 1987 sitcomBoys Will Be Boys. Here, he appears as Charles “Chazz” Russell, who is guided by his older self (Kiel Martin) to make better moral choices, so he can get into heaven. After its mid-season break, the series was retooled and instead focused on Chazz as he and his two pals Booch and Eugene become roommates and attempt to navigate life as adults.
What Makes It Great
Perry demonstrated early on in his exceptional career a true gift for comedy, and he had an effortlessness on screen that only got better and better with every project he was in. The actor was just 18 years old when he starred in the sitcom and the exposure Perry got from the show helped him nab further television roles that contributed to him being cast in the juggernautFriends.
Currently unavailable to stream
9Go On (2012-2013)
Perry returned to the small screen when he headlined the 2012 sitcomGo On, portraying grieving sports talk radio host Ryan King as he is forced to join a support group in order to cope with the death of his wife. In the process, he finds himself surprisingly connecting with the group’s diverse and colorful members. The actor was joined by stars like Laura Benanti, Tyler James Williams, and John Cho in the wholesome series. It delivered solid ratings and was dubbed “Maybe the best new sitcom of the fall” byNew York Daily News.
Audiences were thoroughly impressed with Perry’s compelling performance in the touching program, and it was nominated for a People’s Choice Award for Favorite New TV Comedy. The show’s creator Scott Silveri had previously worked with Perry onFriendsand later said he subconsciously wrote the lead role for the actor, who was able to embrace both his humorous and dramatic side in the sitcom.
Stream on the Roku Channel & Vudu
8Birds of America (2008)
Birds of America
Touting an impressive ensemble cast including Matthew Perry, Ben Foster, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Lauren Graham, the 2008 dramedyBirds of Americacenters on a high-strung married man, Morrie Tanager (Perry), as he anxiously awaits getting tenure while being pressured by his wife Betty (Graham) to start a family. Both of these cause the uptight Morrie major anxiety. When his two chaotic younger siblings arrive for an impromptu visit, Morrie struggles to juggle his many responsibilities.
Birds of Americanonetheless highlighted Perry’s range as a more dramatic actor and his ability to portray complex characters. The exceptional cast helped give the picture some much-needed depth and their vibrant portrayals served up both light-hearted humor and touching moments among a darker backdrop and screenplay.
Currently unavailable for streaming
7Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-2007)
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
In Perry’s first major television follow-up after the conclusion ofFriends, the charming actor joined forces with acclaimedwriter and director Aaron Sorkinfor the 2006 dramedy seriesStudio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The show offers an intimate and exciting behind-the-scenes look at what goes on to create a hit live sketch comedy show. Perry plays the head writer of the fictional show and must deal with demanding higher-ups and temperamental actors, including his ex-girlfriend Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson).
Perry’s character Matt was largely based on Sorkin himself and his personal experiences in the television world. Perry’s return to the small screen was lauded by his fans and critics, earning a Satellite Award nomination for Best Actor in a Drama Series.
Buy/Rent on Prime Video
6The Odd Couple (2015-2017)
In the entertaining remake of the smash hit ’70s series and film, the 2015 sitcomThe Odd Couplefeatures Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon as the hilariously mismatched duo Oscar Madison and Felix Unger as they must learn to cohabitate and deal with one another’s quirky temperaments after they both suffer romantic woes and move in together. Perry’s character Oscar is easy-going and slobbish, a direct contrast with the extremely neurotic Felix, leading to hilarious hijinks between the polar-opposite pair.
Perry created and executive produced the lively series, and he was right in his element as the sarcastic and laid-back sports talk show host Oscar Madison. The winning chemistry between the actor and Lennon helped draw in large audiences and garnered praise.The Odd Coupleran for three seasons, during which Perry nabbed two People’s Choice Award nominations for Favorite Comedic TV Actor.
Stream on Paramount+
517 Again (2009)
In the 2009 teen fantasy comedy17 Again, Zac Efron and Matthew Perry portrayed two versions of the character Mike O’Donnell. Perry plays the directionless and restless 37-year-old as he finds himself magically transformed back to being 17 after he’s swept up into a time vortex. Finding himself young again, he sets out to try and rectify his past mistakes.
Efron was a teen idolat the time of the comedy’s release and Perry was still riding high on the massive success ofFriends, and their joint star power helped the flick dominate the box office and rake in over $139 million. Audiences awarded the film an A- CinemaScore and critics were appreciative of the energetic and engrossing performances of Perry and Efron.
Stream on Prime Video
4Fools Rush In (1997)
Matthew Perryand Salma Hayekdelivered some sensational chemistry when they starred in the romantic comedyFools Rush In. It follows successful New York City project manager Alex Whitman as he has a brief but passionate night with the fiery free spirit Isabel Fuentes in Las Vegas, which results in her becoming pregnant. Though opposite in many ways, the couple end up getting married and fully committing themselves to one another, but must contend with their vastly different lifestyles and meddling families as they await the birth of their child.
Fools Rush In: Why Matthew Perry’s Best Starring Film Role Was His First
Matthew Perry rightfully described the 1997 romantic comedy film Fools Rush In as his best film.
Perry and Hayek were downright delightful as the offbeat romantic pair, and the rom-com was theFriendsstar’s first major film since the unprecedented success of the sitcom.Fools Rush Inwas a triumph at the box office and received some praise from critics, withRoger Ebert calling it"a sweet, entertaining retread of an ancient formula" that featured a winning “level of observation and human comedy.” Perry himself later called the flick his best movie.
Stream on Tubi
3The Ron Clark Story (2006)
Perry rightfully earned himself a Golden Globe nomination when he portrayed the real-life titular educator in the 2006 television dramaThe Ron Clark Story, chronicling the inspiring career of the determined teacher as he leaves his comfortable North Carolina life and hometown and heads north to New York City to bring his innovative methods of teaching to an inner city elementary school.
Perry knocked it out of the park in the dramatic role, proving to the masses that he was far more than just the wise-cracking Chandler Bing and that he possessed some seriously savvy acting chops.The Ron Clark Storywas the recipient of numerous accolades including a Christopher Award and two Young Artist Awards, with Perry also receiving both a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nod. It remains an exceptional example of Perry’s range and likability as a performer.
Stream on Peacock
2The Whole Nine Yards (2000)
Bruce Willis, Matthew Perry, and Amanda Peet headlined the crime comedyThe Whole Nine Yards. Perry starred as the reserved and likable dentist Nicholas “Oz” Oseransky, who comes to the shocking realization his new next-door-neighbor is actually a notorious Chicago hitman (Willis) with a massive bounty on his head. Oz is convinced by his scornful wife to turn in the dangerous criminal to a Hungarian crime boss in an effort to earn the reward, leading to a series of wild and extremely entertaining misadventures for the dentist and the killer.
The uproarious banter between Willis and Perry helped make the comedy a triumph at the box office, where it earned over $106 million and a positive response from moviegoers. The pair developed a friendship during production and Willis actually lost a bet to Perry that the film would be number one at the box office, a wager that resulted in the actor guest-starring onFriendsand in an Emmy-winning performance.
Rent/Buy on Prime Video & Apple TV+
1Friends (1994-2004)
Friends is the popular sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, released back in 1994 and ran for ten seasons. The show follows a group of six twentysomethings through their lives in New York City and their time spent between their two apartments and their local coffee shop. The show features the group navigating tricky relationships with one another and comical misadventures.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time, the 1994 lightning-in-a-bottle sitcomFriendsfollowed six close pals in New York City. Together, they experienced love, heartbreak, and life’s many ups-and-downs while navigating the chaotic world in their twenties and thirties. Touting an exceptional cast led by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer, the beloved series ran for ten sensational seasons and developed a passionate fan-following during its phenomenal, decade-long television tenure.
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Perry’s unparalleled performance as the perpetually sarcastic and good-natured Chandler Bing swiftly established the actor as one of the show’s best characters, and he kept audiences and his fellow cast members laughing with his rapid-fire wit and heart-of-gold. He earned an Emmy nomination and won a Screen Actors Guild Award for his career-defining performance in the sitcom, and his presencebrought endless joy and laughterto devoted fans all across the world and will forever remain his most cherished role.
