Matthew Perry, an American actor and comedian, had a net worth of $120 million at the time of his death on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. He was best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom “Friends,” appearing in all 236 episodes from 1994 to 2004. Perry also featured in several other TV shows and films, including “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Go On,” “Fools Rush In,” and “The Whole Nine Yards.”
Before “Friends,” Perry had a stable career, gaining recognition for his theater work in high school and securing numerous guest-starring roles on shows like “Charles in Charge,” “Silver Spoons,” “Just the Ten of Us,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Growing Pains,” “Empty Nest,” “Who’s the Boss?”, “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and “Sibs.” He also appeared in films and TV movies such as “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” “Dance ’til Dawn,” “She’s Out of Control,” “Call Me Anna,” and “Deadly Relations.”
| Category | Richest Celebrities › Richest Comedians |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $120 Million |
| Birthdate | Aug 19, 1969 – Oct 28, 2023 (54 years old) |
| Birthplace | Williamstown |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Profession | Actor, Screenwriter, Television Producer, Comedian |
| Nationality | United States of America |
In addition to his guest-starring roles, Perry starred in several short-lived sitcoms, including “Second Chance,” “Sydney,” and “Home Free.” His busy schedule almost prevented him from auditioning for “Friends,” originally titled “Six of One,” due to a commitment to the show “LAX 2194.” However, he eventually became available, and the rest is television history.
“Friends” became one of the most successful TV shows of all time, making its cast members extremely famous and wealthy. At the peak of the series, each main cast member earned $1 million per episode. Perry alone earned around $90 million from “Friends” base salary, with substantial royalties from syndication reportedly bringing in an additional $10-20 million per year.
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Early Life
Matthew Langford Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His mother, Suzanne, is a Canadian-born journalist who previously served as secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. His father, John Bennett Perry, is an actor and model. Matthew’s parents divorced before he turned one. In 1981, when Matthew was 12, Suzanne married journalist Keith Morrison, who would later gain fame as a correspondent on “Dateline NBC.”
Early Career
Matthew got his professional acting break at age 18 being cast in “A Night In The Life Of Jimmy Reardon”, alongside River Phoenix. He also pursued improv comedy at the LA Connection in Sherman Oaks and quickly became a featured performer. He had a few brief guest appearances on television in the late 1980s and then held the intention of enrolling at the University of Southern California. Instead, he was offered the role of Chazz Russell in “Second Chance,” and he became noticed on the acting scene.
Friends
Initially, he wasn’t considered for the “Friends” audition due to his involvement in a TV drama called “LAX 2194.” However, since the project was slow to launch, Perry managed to audition and secured the role of Chandler Bing, which became his most iconic role. The series ran for ten seasons and earned him an Emmy nomination in 2002.
While starring in “Friends,” he appeared in several films, including “Three to Tango,” “Almost Heroes,” “Fools Rush In,” and “The Whole Nine Yards.” In 2006, he starred in the TNT movie “The Ron Clark Story,” earning another Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe nomination.
In October 2022, Perry released his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” which became a bestseller on Amazon and The New York Times.
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Matthew Perry Friends Salary
During the first season of Friends, each cast member earned $22,500 per episode, totaling $540,000 for the season. In the second season, their salaries increased to $40,000 per episode, amounting to $960,000 for the season. Prior to the third season, the cast negotiated collectively, securing $75,000 per episode for season three ($1.875 million for the season), $85,000 per episode for season four ($2.04 million), $100,000 per episode for season five ($2.5 million), and $125,000 per episode for season six ($3.125 million).
Before season seven, they achieved a substantial raise, earning $750,000 per episode in seasons seven and eight ($18 million per season). In seasons nine and ten, each cast member earned $1 million per episode, which totaled $24 million for season nine and $18 million for season ten. Overall, each cast member earned approximately $90 million in base salary from the show, excluding backend bonuses and ongoing royalties.
Friends Royalties
During their contract negotiations in 2000, the cast managed to secure backend points on the show, enabling them to earn royalties from its syndication sales. Prior to this, the only TV stars with ownership stakes in shows were Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Cosby. “Friends” continues to generate over $1 billion annually from syndication royalties and streaming deals. Reports indicate that each cast member can earn $10-20 million per year in royalties alone.
Personal Life
Matthew Perry dated Yasmine Bleeth in 1995, followed by Julia Roberts from 1995 to 1996. He then had a relationship with Lizzy Caplan from 2006 to 2012. In November 2020, Perry got engaged to Molly Hurwitz, but they called off the engagement in June 2021.
Perry holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States.
Addiction
Perry has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction over the years. His addiction to Vicodin began after a jet-ski accident in 1997, leading him to complete a 28-day rehab program later that year. He returned to rehab in February 2001 due to addictions to Vicodin, methadone, amphetamines, and alcohol. Throughout his journey, he claimed to have spent $9 million on his path to sobriety. Perry has said he doesn’t remember three years of his time on “Friends” due to his addiction issues, specifically the period between seasons three and six.
In 2011, Perry became a celebrity spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. He received the Champion of Recovery award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in May 2013 for establishing the Perry House sober living facility in his former Malibu mansion. However, he sold the property and closed the rehab center in 2015. Matthew Perry has been sober since May 2021.
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Real Estate
After the first season of “Friends” concluded, Matthew purchased his first home in LA. He mentioned to an interviewer, “It’s the law when you have a successful sitcom: Between the first and second seasons, you buy a house.” He sold that property in 2001 for $2 million.
In 1999, he bought a 6,500-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $3.2 million. After extensive renovations, he sold it in 2005 for $6.9 million.
In 2005, he acquired a condo in West Hollywood, previously owned by Elton John, for $1.7 million, selling it in 2014 for $5.7 million.
In 2008, he purchased a home in LA for $4.475 million, which he sold in 2011 for $4.6 million.
In 2011, he bought a beachfront home in Malibu for $12 million, listing it for $15 million in August 2020, and eventually selling it in January 2021 for $13.1 million.
In 2015, Matthew sold another Malibu home for $10.65 million.
In 2017, he acquired a large penthouse apartment in Century City, California, for $20 million. He listed it for sale in August 2019 for $35 million, reduced the price to $27 million by July 2020, and finally sold it for $21.6 million in June 2021. Rihanna was the buyer. Here’s a video tour of Matthew’s former penthouse:
In 2018, he sold another home in the Los Angeles area for $12.5 million.