For other people named API, see API (disambiguation).

Matthew Perry
Perry at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards in 2010.
Born | Matthew Langford Perry (1969-08-19) August 19, 1969 (age 44) Williamstown, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation | Actor, director, writer, producer
Years active | 1979?present

Matthew Langford Perry (born August 19, 1969) is a Canadian-American actor and comedian.

He is well known for his Emmy-nominated role as Chandler Bing on the popular, long-running NBC television sitcom Friends. He also received acclaim for his portrayal of Ron Clark in the television movie The Ron Clark Story, accompanied by another Emmy nomination as well as a Golden Globe nomination.[1][2] Perry also starred in the short-lived series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and has appeared in a number of films, including Fools Rush In (1997), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), and 17 Again (2009).[3] In 2010 he expanded his resume to include both video games and voiceover work when he voiced Benny in the role-playing game Fallout: New Vegas.[4] Perry was the co-creator, co-writer, executive producer and star of the short-lived ABC sitcom Mr. Sunshine, which ran from February to April 2011.[5]

In August 2012, Perry began starring as Ryan King, a sportscaster, on the NBC comedy Go On.

## Early life[edit]

Perry was born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. His mother, Suzanne Jane Louise Langford, is a Canadian journalist and former press secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and his father, John Bennett Perry, is an American actor and former model.[6][7] His parents divorced before his first birthday and his mother subsequently married Keith Morrison, a broadcast journalist.[7] Perry was raised by his mother in Ottawa, Ontario, and was enrolled at Rockcliffe Park Public School and Ashbury College.[7] While growing up, he took a keen interest in tennis and became a top-ranked junior player.[7]

## Career[edit]

### 1980s[edit]

Matthew Perry moved from Ottawa to Los Angeles to pursue acting. For high school, he attended The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. While at Buckley, Perry was featured as George Gibbs in Our Town and appeared as a junior in a production of The Miracle Worker. Patty Duke attended and praised the young Perry's convincing role as Helen's brother Jimmy. He was also featured in The Sound of Music as a junior. In his senior year, director Tim Hillman had planned a production of "The Elephant Man" specifically to feature Perry as John Merrick along with Vanessa Smith, and future Les Mis?rables star Lisa Capps. He then got his professional break at age 18. On being cast in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon with River Phoenix, Perry withdrew from Elephant Man and ended his high school acting career. Perry also pursued improv comedy at the LA Connection in Sherman Oaks while still in high school, quickly becoming a featured performer.[8]

After some guest appearances in late 1980s television, it was his intention to enroll at the University of Southern California, but when he was offered the lead role of Chazz Russell in Second Chance he became noticed on the acting scene. Perry originally starred alongside Kiel Martin when the series premiered in 1987, but after 13 episodes the format changed: Second Chance became Boys Will Be Boys, Perry was elevated to top-billing status, and the plots re-focused on the adventures of Chazz and his teenage friends. Despite the shift, the show ran for only one season. When it concluded, Perry stayed in Los Angeles and made guest appearance on the television program Growing Pains in which he portrayed Carol's boyfriend who dies from injuries in the hospital sustained in a drunk driving accident.[8]

### 1990s[edit]

Perry departing rehearsal for the 1995 Emmy Awards.

In the midst of his many continuing guest roles on TV, Perry was cast as a regular on the 1990 CBS sitcom Sydney, playing the younger brother of Valerie Bertinelli's title character. In 1991, he made a guest appearance on Beverly Hills, 90210 as Roger Azarian. Perry landed his next TV starring role on the ABC sitcom Home Free, which aired only 11 episodes in the spring 1993. By then, Perry was making his mark, and was instantly cast in a new dramatic pilot titled LAX 2194. The project was slow to take off, so as a backup option, he attempted to secure an audition for the pilot Six of One, later to be known as Friends, by Marta Kauffman and David Crane, both of whom he had worked with on Dream On. However, due to previous commitments to the pilot LAX 2194, he was not initially considered for an audition. When he did eventually get a reading, he landed the part he is best known for, the role of Chandler Bing.[8]

The program was hugely successful and Perry, along with his co-stars, gained wide renown among television viewers. The program also earned him Emmy[9] nominations in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series along with Matt LeBlanc, but he lost to Ray Romano. As well as his successful career on Friends, Perry has appeared in films such as Fools Rush In (alongside father John Bennett Perry and Salma Hayek), Almost Heroes, Three to Tango, The Whole Nine Yards (alongside Bruce Willis) and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards, and Serving Sara.[8]

### 2000s[edit]

While known primarily for his comic roles, Perry has carved out a career in drama as well, particularly in his portrayal of Associate White House Counsel Joe Quincy in Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing. His three appearances in that series (twice in the fourth season and once in the fifth) earned him two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2003 and 2004. Perry is referred to in the show prior to his guest appearance - Donna Moss seeks him out (off screen) in the episode "20 Hours in LA." He also appeared as attorney Todd Merrick in two episodes near the end of Ally McBeal's five season run, including a 2-hour special intended to revive the legal comedy-drama.[8]

After Friends wrapped up, Perry made his directorial debut in an episode of the 4th season of the American comedy-drama Scrubs, in which he also guest starred as "Murray Marks", an operator of a small airport's traffic control team. Murray is asked to donate a kidney to his father Gregory (played by Perry's real father).[8]

He starred in the TNT movie, The Ron Clark Story which premiered August 13, 2006. Perry played small town teacher Ron Clark who relocates to the toughest class in the country. Perry received a Golden Globe nomination as well as an Emmy nomination for his performance.

Perry at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.

In 2006-2007, Perry appeared in Aaron Sorkin's drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Perry played Matt Albie alongside Bradley Whitford's Danny Tripp, a writer-director duo brought in to help save a failing sketch show. Perry's character was considered to be substantially based on Sorkin's own personal experiences, particularly in television.[10]

In 2006 he began filming Numb, a film based on a man suffering from depersonalization disorder. The film's tentative release date was pushed back several times, but was finally released to DVD on May 13, 2008. He also appeared in David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago in London.[11] In 2009 he starred in the film 17 Again playing the older Mike O'Donnell.

In 2008, Perry starred in the offbeat film Birds of America as Morrie Tanager, an uptight man who has to deal with his siblings.

Showtime passed on a pilot called The End of Steve, a dark comedy starring, written and produced by Perry and Peter Tolan.[12]

### 2010s[edit]

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Perry in a video talking about the National Drug Control Policy progam he's involved with.

Perry's new comedy pilot, Mr. Sunshine, based on Perry's original idea, was bought by ABC.[13][14] Perry was set to portray a middle-aged man with an identity crisis.[15] ABC canceled the series after nine episodes.[16][17]

On March 1, 2012, it was reported that Perry had signed on to star on the NBC comedy pilot Go On, written and produced by former Friends writer/producer Scott Silveri.[18] The project was picked up to series in May 2012. Perry portrays Ryan King, a charming yet irreverent sportscaster who tries to move on after the death of his wife through the help of mandatory therapy sessions. The pilot aired on August 8, 2012, as a "sneak preview" post the 2012 Summer Olympics.[19] The series is scheduled to officially premiere September 11, 2012.[20]

## Personal life[edit]

Perry reportedly dated Julia Roberts and Yasmine Bleeth.[21][22] He has been in a relationship with Lizzy Caplan since 2006.[23][24]

Perry holds dual Canadian-American citizenship.[25]

Perry did a 28-day program in 1997 for a Vicodin addiction. Matthew Perry's weight fluctuated drastically over the next few years and once dropped down to 145 pounds (66 kg). He lost 20 pounds in 2000 due to pancreatitis.[26] Perry again entered rehab in February 2001 to treat an addiction to opioids (specifically vicodin and methadone), amphetamines and alcohol.[27][28][29] Perry was in Dallas filming Serving Sara with Elizabeth Hurley when he had such severe stomach pains that he called a local doctor, who advised rehab. Perry flew to Los Angeles and checked into Marina del Rey's Daniel Freeman Hospital. Perry's publicist Lisa Kasteler confirmed his rehab stay.[27]

## Filmography[edit]

### Film[edit]

Year | Title | Role | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
1988 | Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, A A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon | Fred Roberts | Credited as Matthew L. Perry
1989 | She's Out of Control | Timothy | Credited as Matthew L. Perry
1994 | Getting In | Randall Burns |
1997 | Fools Rush In | Alex Whitman |
1998 | Almost Heroes | Leslie Edwards |
1999 | Three to Tango | Oscar Novak |
2000 | Whole Nine Yards, The The Whole Nine Yards | Nicholas "Oz" Oseransky |
2000 | Disney's The Kid | Mr. Vivian | Uncredited
2002 | Serving Sara | Joe Tyler |
2004 | Whole Ten Yards, The The Whole Ten Yards | Oz |
2006 | Ron Clark Story, The The Ron Clark Story | Ron Clark |
2007 | Numb | Hudson | Executive producer
2008 | Birds of America | Morrie Tanager |
2009 | 17 Again | Adult Mike O'Donnell |

### Television[edit]

Year | Title | Role | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
1979 | 240-Robert | Arthur | Episode 1.6: "Bank Job"
1983 | Not Necessarily the News | Bob | Episode 1.10: "Audrie in Love"
1985 | Charles in Charge | Ed Stanley | Episode 1.20: "The Wrong Guy" Credited as Matthew L. Perry
1986 | Silver Spoons | Davey | Episode 5.6: "Rick Moves Out"
1987?88 | Second Chance | Chazz Russell | Appeared in 21 episodes
1988 | Dance 'Til Dawn | Roger | TV film
1988 | Just the Ten of Us | Ed | Episode 2.4: "The Dinner Test"; credited as Matthew L. Perry
1988 | Highway to Heaven | David Hastings | Episode 5.2: "Hello and Farewell"
1989 | Empty Nest | Bill aged 18 | Episode 1.21: "A Life in the Day"
1989 | Growing Pains | Sandy | Appeared in 3 episodes
1990 | Sydney | Billy Kells | Appeared in 13 episodes
1990 | Who's the Boss? | Benjamin Dawson | Episode 7.8: "Roomies"
1990 | Call Me Anna | Desi Arnaz, Jr. | TV film
1991 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Roger Azarian | Episode 1.18: "April Is the Cruelest Month"
1992 | Sibs | Unknown | Episode 1.18: "What Makes Lily Run?"
1992 | Dream On | Alex | Episode 3.23: "To the Moon, Alex!"
1993 | Home Free | Matt Bailey | Appeared in 13 episodes
1993 | Deadly Relations | George Westerfield | TV film
1994 | L.A.X. 2194 | Blaine | Pilot
1994 | Parallel Lives | Willie Morrison | TV film
1994?2004 | Friends | Chandler Bing |
1995 | John Larroquette Show, The The John Larroquette Show | Steven | Episode 2.21: "Rachel Redux"
1995 | Caroline in the City | Chandler Bing | Episode 1.6: "Caroline and the Folks"
2001 | Simpsons, The The Simpsons | Ultrahouse Matthew Perry voice option | Episode 13.1: "Treehouse of Horror XII"
2002 | Ally McBeal | Attorney Todd Merrick | Episodes 5.16 and 5.17: "Love Is All Around" Parts 1 and 2
2003 | West Wing, The The West Wing | Joe Quincy | Appeared in 3 episodes
2004 | Scrubs | Murray Marks | Episode 4.11: "My Unicorn"; also director
2006 | Ron Clark Story, The The Ron Clark Story | Ron Clark | Television film
2006?07 | Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Matt Albie | Appeared in 21 episodes
2011 | Mr. Sunshine | Ben | Co-creator
2011 | Childrens Hospital | Himself | Episode 3.3: "The Black Doctor" (cameo)
2012 | The Good Wife | Mike Kresteva | 2 Episodes
2012-present | Go On | Ryan King |

### Video games[edit]

Year | Videogame | Role | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
2010 | Fallout: New Vegas | Benny | Voice Actor

## Awards and nominations[edit]

Year | Award | Category | Title of work | Result
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1996 | American Comedy Awards | Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series - with David Schwimmer | Friends | Nominated
1995 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series - with rest of main cast | Friends | Won
2000 | TV Guide Awards | Editor's Choice - with whole cast along with Jane Sibbett and John Christopher Allen | Friends | Won
2002 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Friends | Nominated
2002 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Television Actor | Friends | Nominated
2003 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | The West Wing | Nominated
2004 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | The West Wing | Nominated
2004 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor - Comedy | Friends | Won
2006 | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Series, Drama | Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Nominated
2006 | TV Land Awards | Most Wonderful Wedding - with Courteney Cox | Friends | Nominated
2007 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie | The Ron Clark Story | Nominated
2007 | Golden Globes | Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television | The Ron Clark Story | Nominated
2007 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries | The Ron Clark Story | Nominated

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Matthew Perry - Awards Nominations - MSN Movies". Movies.msn.com. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
2. ^ "Matthew Perry Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2011-12-24. Text " Movies, TV Shows " ignored (help)
3. ^ "Matthew Perry". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
4. ^ "Fallout: New Vegas Voice Cast Includes Matthew Perry, Wayne Newton, Zach Levi". Cinemablend.com. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
5. ^ Gorman, Bill (December 6, 2010). "ABC's 'Mr. Sunshine' Will Bump 'Cougar Town'; Plus Dates For 'Happy Endings' 'Off The Map'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
6. ^ "Matthew Perry Biography (1969-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
7. ^ a b c d Kennedy, Dana (August 18, 2002). "The Fame He Craved Came, but It Wasn't Enough". The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
8. ^ a b c d e f "Matthew Perry Biography - Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. 1969-08-19. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
9. ^ Matthew Perry Emmy Nominated
10. ^ By (January 26, 2006). "Variety announces Matthew Perry in Studio 60". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
11. ^ Smith, Neil (May 15, 2003). "Perry debuts in tame Perversity". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
12. ^ Showtime picks up 'End of Steve' Oct. 13, 2008 By DANIEL FRANKEL, Variety
13. ^ Adam Bryant. "Matthew Perry Comedy Lands at ABC". TVGuide.com.
14. ^ "Twitter / matthew perry: Abc officially greenlit my". Twitter. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
15. ^ "ABC picks up Matthew Perry comedy pilot". Digitalspy.co.uk. Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2010. Check date values in: `|date=` (help)
16. ^ "Updated: 'V' Cancelled; 'Brothers Sisters,' 'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Detroit 187,' 'Off The Map,' 'No Ordinary Family' Cancelled Too - May 13, 2011". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2011-12-24.
17. ^ "Matthew Perry?s new show Mr Sunshine gets panned". Thefirstpost.co.uk. 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2011-12-24. Text " News " ignored (help); Text " The Week UK " ignored (help)
18. ^ Ausiello, Michael (March 1, 2012). "Scoop: Matthew Perry Returning to NBC as Star of Comedy Pilot Go On". TV Line. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
19. ^ Collins, Scott (August 9, 2012). "London Olympics: NBC draws crowd for Matthew Perry sitcom 'Go On'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
20. ^ Goldman, Eric (June 14, 2012). "NBC Sets Fall Premiere Dates: Community, The Office and More". IGN.com. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
21. ^ Hello "Matthew Perry" Retrieved October 22, 2010
22. ^ Stars We Love "Matthew Perry splits with girlfriend Rachel Dunn June 28, 2005 Retrieved October 22, 2010[dead link]
23. ^ "Matthew Perry's Student Body Hookup". TMZ.com. 2006-11-16. Retrieved 2012-08-12.
24. ^ Fisher, Kelly (September 10, 2011). "Matthew Perry And Lizzy Caplan: Another Hollywood Odd Couple? (PHOTO)". Huffington Post.
25. ^ John Buccigross. "This blog should tell you Sens, Ducks on very different paths". ESPN. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
26. ^ Smolowe, Jill (March 12, 2001). "Show Stopper - Substance Abuse, Friends, Rocky Road Rehab, Matthew Perry". People. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
27. ^ a b Ann Oldenburg. "Addiction to Vicodin: Matthew Perry's Painful Story". USA Today via Opiates.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
28. ^ Richard Corlliss and Jeffrey Ressner (March 19, 2001). "Who's Feeling No Pain?". Time Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
29. ^ "Friends Star Perry Enters Rehab". CBS News. February 26, 2001. Retrieved November 14, 2010.

## External links[edit]

| Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: API

| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matthew Perry.

- API at the Internet Movie Database

ESPY Awards
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Persondata
Name | Perry, Matthew
Alternative names |
Short description |
Date of birth | 1969-08-19
Place of birth | Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States
Date of death |
Place of death |