R.I.P To 'Friends' Actor Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on "Friends."

Matthew Perry is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends.”

NBC/Getty Images

News: R.I.P To ‘Friends’ Actor Matthew Perry Dead At 54.

Matthew Perry, a comic actor known for playing the sarcastic, boyishly charming and tightly wound Chandler Bing in the long-running sitcom “Friends,” was found dead Oct. 28 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 54.

Mr. Perry entered show business while in high school and appeared in several TV series before his breakthrough on NBC’s “Friends” in 1994 as the youngest member of the six principals, who included Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc. The show followed the professional and personal ups, downs, hookups and breakups of its cast of characters as they hung out in their New York City apartments or at their favorite nearby coffeehouse.

The show was comfort food with an extremely good-looking and appealing cast, all of whom showed a flair for comic timing, and its time slot — alongside Thursday night hits “Mad About You” and “Seinfeld” — almost assured its status with audiences.

It ran for a decade, with NBC becoming so desperate to maintain its huge audience amid a changing lineup of untested new shows that the cast negotiated salaries collectively and each main actor was paid more than $1 million an episode to continue in its final seasons.

Photos Of The Life And Career Of Matthew Perry

Perry and Christina Applegate were cast in the 1988 made for TV teen movie "Dance 'til Dawn."

Perry and Christina Applegate were cast in the 1988 made for TV teen movie “Dance ’til Dawn.” NBC/Getty Images

Perry guest stars in an episode of "Growing Pains" in 1989. His character was injured in the episode, which was about the dangers of drunk driving.

Perry guest stars in an episode of “Growing Pains” in 1989. His character was injured in the episode, which was about the dangers of drunk driving. ABC/Disney Entertainment/Getty Images

Perry and Cox appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1996.

Perry and Cox appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 1996. NBC/Getty Images

The sixth season of "Friends" aired in 1999.

The sixth season of “Friends” aired in 1999. NBC/Getty Images

The cast of "Friends" pose for a promo shot in 1999.

The cast of “Friends” pose for a promo shot in 1999. Getty Images

Perry is seen in the 1995 "Friends" episode "The One with the Evil Orthodontist."

Perry is seen in the 1995 “Friends” episode “The One with the Evil Orthodontist.” NBC/Getty Images

Perry co-stars with Salma Hayek in the 1997 romantic comedy film "Fools Rush In."

Perry co-stars with Salma Hayek in the 1997 romantic comedy film “Fools Rush In.” Columbia Pictures/Getty Images

Perry and Cox are seen in the 2000 "Friends" episode "The One With Rachel's Assistant."

Perry and Cox are seen in the 2000 “Friends” episode “The One With Rachel’s Assistant.” NBC/Getty Images

Perry and Cox pose for a photo during the 2001 "Friends" episode "The One With Monica And Chandler's Wedding."

Perry and Cox pose for a photo during the 2001 “Friends” episode “The One With Monica And Chandler’s Wedding.” Danny Feld/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Perry co-starred in "Friends" with Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston. The first season aired in 1994.

Perry co-starred in “Friends” with Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston. The first season aired in 1994. NBC/Getty Images

Copies of Perry's memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," are displayed at a bookstore in 2022.