Matthew Perry’s tragic passing didn’t just reverberate in the entertainment industry, that’s for sure….he played a very popular character on a TV show which not only represented Generation X, but a show that has resonated with many generations in syndication. From 1994 – 2004, his incredible wit (and snark) was must-watch television, and his one-liners became instant classics, even before the “Rachel” haircut took over America.
Although he lived a complicated life, he felt it his duty to help others who shared the same struggles with addiction, even turning one of his former houses into a home for those in recovery. In his recent autobiography, he goes into great detail about his darkest of days with prescription drugs and alcohol – after reading his book, his iconic role as Chandler Bing seemed more like an afterthought, as he put the fame and fortune in its proper perspective in comparison to his life and well being.
Matthew Perry was 54, born four days after I was born….he was still in the prime of his life. Although we may never know what future impact he may have had in the entertainment world, we do know that he left a lasting legacy in helping others, both with his words and his actions. This far outweighs being on one of the most successful tv shows of all time.
Rest in Peace, Matthew Perry. Thank you for being a tremendous Friend.
Lane's Back Nine - my online diary as a 55-year old 
Well said Lane. No one knows the struggles one goes through and he certainly didn’t let us know that behind that wit and charm, was a human being who, despite his own struggles, made billions of people laugh. We saw the changes in him from season to season but didn’t know the depth of his struggles and despair. May we all learn from him and hope that we all leave the world knowing we impacted just one person. Best, Nuj
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