Matthew Perry’s life laid bare in first look at new documentary: ‘Spent $7 million trying to get sober’
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Three years after Matthew Perry’s tragic death, a new documentary will lay bare the reality of his life, exploring his career and crippling battle with addiction.
The first trailer for the Netflix docuseries, The One About Matthew Perry, has dropped and gives an insight into his life like never before.
A new three-part series The One About Matthew Perry, coming to Netflix, explores the reality of Matthew Perry’s life before his tragic death. AP Photo/Matt Sayles
“I said, ‘God, you can do anything you want to me, just please make me famous,’” the late Friends star – known for his role playing Chandler Bing in the beloved series – recalled in a voiceover.
“I got a phone call [for the role], and I instantly knew my whole life was gonna change. But God did not forget the other part.”
In another clip, Perry explained that he was thrilled to become famous, although the reality quickly set in that it “doesn’t fix” the problems “inside” of him.
“This doesn’t do what I thought it was going to do,” he admitted.
Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, opened up about the lengths he went to in his bid for sobriety.
“All great stories have comedy and tragedy in them, and that was certainly Matthew’s story,” she said in one clip.
Perry’s battle with addiction is something that he struggled with throughout his fame, and something he tried to fix.
“My brother would talk about that feeling of emptiness or loneliness that he couldn’t quite fill,” she continued.
“He spent $7 million trying to get sober.”
Perry Bowick said: “That’s how seriously he took his disease.”
Perry’s most beloved role was playing Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom Friends. NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Perry died in 2023 at the age of 54.
According to the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office, the actor died from “acute effects of ketamine.”
According to the autopsy report, drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine (an opioid medication) effects were listed as other conditions that contributed to his death.
The docuseries will also feature testimonies and interviews with several of Perry’s other close friends including David Pressman and Roger Castillo, along with several former girlfriends. Unreleased photos and videos from the Perry family’s private archive will also be shared.
The actor’s struggles with addition are laid bare in the trailer, with his sister revealing he spent over $7 million trying to get sober. Getty
The three-part series will be released on the third anniversary of Perry’s death.
“It’s taken time for me to feel ready to share these memories and what it was like to love Matthew through all the complexity of his life – to see him as a whole person, not just as Chandler and not just as someone who struggled with addiction,” Bowick said in a statement.
“As his sister, he shaped who I am today, the person I strive to be and the work to which I’ve devoted my life. Matthew had a beautiful heart and a generous spirit, and even in his darkest moments, he could still make you laugh and feel loved. I hope this series gives everyone who loved him, whether personally or from afar, a deeper appreciation for who he truly was and the legacy he survived by.”
