When it’s time to say goodbye to Matthew Perry, it’s hard not to associate the actor’s memory with his role on Friends. The unforgettable interpreter of the caustic Chandler Bing in the cult sitcom, the latter was found dead in his California home, aged 54.
Of course, her role in Friends is undoubtedly one of a lifetime. However, Matthew Perry’s career was not limited to the interpretation of Chandler. Proof with these five series in which the actor appeared, although none are as famous and popular as Friends!
to the white house
Many people forget that Matthew Perry appeared in another series that can also be considered one of the best of all time. The latter, of course, played in the White House for only a few episodes (seasons 5 and 6), but his performance as a ruthless Republican lawyer remained in the memory of fans of the program.
In addition, her role in Aaron Sorkin’s political series led her to the lead role in the same creator’s series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip in 2006.
Two years after the end of Friends, this unfairly little-known series goes behind the scenes of the comedy and satire show that is broadcast on the American public channel. Matthew Perry plays Matt Albee, a screenwriter under pressure from a producer who is on probation.
Highly ambitious and certainly ahead of its time, Aaron Sorkin’s series only lasted one season before being canceled by NBC due to lack of audience. All the more regret because this series offered a role that matches the immense talent of Matthew Perry and, of course, the best post-Friends that the latter could have dreamed of. Unfortunately, fate decided otherwise…
Cougar Town
Her role in Cougar Town only lasted one episode. But no matter, the appearance was enough to be considered memorable as it allowed Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox to cross paths again on screen. However, the interpreters of Chandler and Monica in Friends did not play a couple during this reunion.
Their characters cross paths after a minor car accident. The heroine, played by Courteney Cox, tries to find a deal because her car is no longer insured; He then starts a charming act to cheer up Grayson, played by Matthew Perry. The latter immediately goes into the game of seduction, going so far as to fall madly in love with Jules. Which was clearly not planned in the program at all!
This episode showed that several years after the end of Friends, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox have not lost their legendary chemistry. Note that Chandler’s translator isn’t the only former friend to make a cameo appearance on Cougar Town, as Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe) and Jennifer Aniston (Rachel) also appeared on the show.
scrubs
Again, this is an appearance in one episode. But his role in Scrubs is still noteworthy, especially because it marks Matthew Perry’s one and only directorial credit. In this episode, which he directed himself, the latter portrays Murray, an air traffic controller whom JD and Turk contact to convince him to donate a kidney to his father.
Although the episode later tells us that Murray was in fact adopted, the other peculiarity of this episode is that Matthew Perry played opposite his own father, John Bennett Perry. The two men later collaborated again for the sitcom Mr. Sunshine, which was created by Matthew Perry (but stopped airing in its first season).
good wife
In 2012-2013, Matthew Perry appeared in three episodes of The Good Wife. In this dramatic role, Matthew Perry plays Mike Kresteva, a lawyer with political ambitions. Originally, the character was supposed to appear longer in the series, but scheduling conflicts eventually forced the writers to reduce his appearance time.
A few years later, Mike Kresteva and his translator Matthew Perry returned for several episodes of the spin-off The Good Fight. This time, the former lawyer – who lost the race for governor of Illinois – appears as an employee of the US government’s Department of Justice.
odd couple
We know Matthew Perry as an actor, but his career as a screenwriter and playwright is less known to the general public. The author of several plays in New York and London, the latter is also credited as co-creator of several series, including The Odd Couple, which marks his last appearance in a lead role in a series.
Inspired by the famous play, this sitcom follows turbulent countryman Oscar Madison (Matthew Perry), a sports podcast host, and his former university classmate Felix Unger (Thomas Lennon). Both recently divorced, the two former friends must put aside their differences to learn to live together under one roof…
This not-so-memorable comedy lasted at least three seasons; Therefore, it is the longest series directed by Matthew Perry, excluding Friends. After the cancellation of that sitcom, the latter signed on to make a final appearance in the historical mini-series The Kennedys, The Lost Kingdom, as Ted Kennedy.
Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
