Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir

“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.” These words begin this harrowing story of addiction. Best known as Chandler on the TV show Friends, Perry grew up in Canada. When his parents divorced, he remembers flying from Canada to L.A. alone as a five-year-old child to see his dad, which fueled his lifelong feelings of insecurity, an emotional hole difficult to fill. But he tried—first, by being the funny guy, then with alcohol. That first drink at 14 was a revelation. He thought that was what he needed to help fill the void. When he moved to L.A., he thought fame was the answer, especially when he landed Friends. But then he discovered opioids, and his lifelong battle with “the Big Terrible Thing,” his addiction, really began. Over 65 detoxes later, Perry is sober, self-aware, and grateful for his life. To hopefully help others, he uses his self-deprecating humor to candidly discuss Friends, lovers, and his addictions.