'I felt like I was gonna die if they didn't laugh': Matthew Perry's rollercoaster ride of global sitcom success and rehab

Becoming Chandler Bing and Beyond

In the realm of beloved sitcoms, 'Friends' holds an unparalleled place, and none more so than the iconic character of Chandler Bing. As reported by Deadline, Matthew Perry, the actor behind the sarcasm-laden character, reveals the creation of Chandler's distinctive speech pattern and his own journey through addiction and rehab in his memoir, extracts of which have already garnered much attention.

“I read the words in an unexpected fashion, hitting emphases that no one else had hit," Perry shares about his audition for the role. His unusual speech style was no accident but rather a deliberate decision that added a unique edge to Chandler Bing.

A Speech Pattern That Echoes Through Sitcom History

"I was talking in a way that no one had talked in sitcoms before, hitting odd emphases, picking a word in a sentence you might not imagine was the beat," he writes. His distinctive delivery, including the unforgettable phrase "Could I BE...?," remains a cornerstone of the show's enduring popularity, kept alive through endless reruns and a Netflix resurgence during lockdown.

From Laughter to Convulsions: The Pressure Behind the Jokes

Beyond his memorable character, Perry bares his soul, sharing his struggle with addiction. “I felt like I was gonna die if [the live audience] didn’t laugh," Perry confides about his experience on the 'Friends' set. When the laughter didn't come, the actor would go into convulsions, a pressure he admits wasn't healthy.

In the memoir, Perry also reveals his initial attraction to the Chandler Bing character. "It was as if someone had followed me around for a year, stealing my jokes, copying my mannerisms, photocopying my world-weary yet witty view of life… I was Chandler.”

Matthew Perry's memoir, 'Friends, Lovers and the Big, Terrible Thing,' proves to be as much a journey of self-discovery as it is a retrospective look at a character that defined a generation. It's clear that the legacy of Chandler Bing – and the man behind him – will continue to resonate.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.