Matthew Perry’s autobiography, published earlier this year, reached the level of best-selling book in the world via the Internet on Monday (30/10), two days after the actor’s death. According to Amazon data, the book “Friends, Love and That Terrible Thing” has even surpassed the recent “The Woman in Me”, Britney Spears’ autobiography.
In the book, the actor immortalized as Chandler in the series “Friends” talks about his battle with opioid addiction and alcoholism – “That terrible thing”, as he calls it. The narrator, with an ironic tone, takes the reader on a journey into his real life, far beyond the screen. Perry highlights a journey of self-knowledge and confrontation with one’s demons, without falling into self-victimism.
Love confessions are a chapter apart. In work, the actor shared his insecurity in relationships, breaking up with Julia Roberts and others before they abandoned him. Memories of him range from great friendships, such as the one with Bruce Willis, with whom he starred in “My Mafia Neighbor” (1999).
The best job in the world
Perry’s accounts of his time on “Friends” – or the “best job in the world” – are a journey into the golden age of American TV.
The chronic void, born from a childhood with separated parents, was partially filled by his alter ego, Chandler, a character who, according to Perry, was an extension of himself. The actor reflects on his journey from early challenges to fame, fondly describing his time on “Friends” but not glossing over the hiccups in his personal life.
Fight for life
Revealing that he and his co-stars earned $1.1 million per episode in recent seasons, Perry estimates he spent around $7 million on his way to sobriety. The actor describes a vicious cycle with 65 detox admissions and 14 surgeries resulting from the addiction, highlighting a life of constant struggle. Once, severely constipated, his intestines simply burst, and then came a coma and a 2% chance of survival. Therefore, he opens the book by stating that he should be dead.
In the end, the actor reveals that, despite the difficulties, he maintained his professional integrity, never acting under the influence of drugs in 237 episodes of “Friends”.
“Friends, loves and that terrible thing” was released in January in Brazil by the publisher BestSeller.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
