It seems to be a theme amongst the most hilarious and talented stars that their lives are crippled by one type of mental disease or another. Robin Williams, arguably one of the most brilliant actors and comedians to ever have lived, battled hard against depression. Drew Carey, Woody Allen, Jim Carrey, and even Ellen DeGeneres have all suffered from depression and other mental illness like this as well. It seems, the more incredible their work, the more troubled they are.
Matthew Perry’s vice was addiction.
Chandler Bing is one of the funniest and most recognizable characters on television. His wry, sarcastic tone and uncanny ability to get himself into (and out of) ridiculously awkward situations has made for innumerable laughs over the ten seasons that Friends was on the air. With his relatable persona, it is easy for the viewer to overlook the personal struggles of the actor behind the brilliance of the character.
Prior to getting the role of Chandler Bing at age 24, Perry had already begun a battle with alcohol abuse. In an interview with E News! in 2013, he stated that “From an outsider's perspective, it would seem like I had it all. It was actually a very lonely time for me because I was suffering from alcoholism,"..."It was going on before Friends, but it's a progressive disease.” And furthermore, in addition to the alcoholism, he became addicted to pain killers such as Vicodin after being prescribed them due to a jet skiing accident. The substance abuse caused him to often be hungover and in pain on set and caused him to check into rehab several times to attempt to fight his addiction.
He has even admitted, in his naturally goofy and sarcastic manner, that because of his prolonged drug and alcohol usage he has forgotten much of the time he spent filming seasons 3 through 6.
Which is relatively consistent with his character, is it not? Incredibly humorous, but generally with a dark tinge to the laughter. Almost as if you get the impression that when Chandler Bing puts himself down, Matthew Perry isn't entirely kidding about it.
But how did he, and so many others like him, get to this point? Has it just become a caveat of those who are so talented in the spotlight that the pressure damns them inside their own head? It appears to be both an immense blessing and a terrible curse. Are comedians and actors like this so talented because of their mental illness or affliction, or is in in spite of their struggle? The cycle goes on and on.
Fortunately, Matthew Perry is one of the lucky ones who has been able to overcome his addiction since the final season of Friends back in 2004 and now owns and operates a sober living facility in Malibu called the Perry Home to help others in the way that he needed help years before. In fact, he has been quoted as saying that being able to help others to overcome their addiction is "the thing he likes the most" about himself.
Despite addiction, hardship, and struggle, Chandler Bing lives on, continuing to be the snarky and relatable character that the world fell in love with over the course of Friends.
