Why Matthew Perry Felt 'Guilty' Cashing His Multi-Million-DollarFriendsPaycheck at the Show's Height

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Perryhad mixed feelings about making $1 million per episode onFriends.

The late actor, whodiedon Oct. 28 at the age of 54, recalled feeling guilty after he and his costars negotiated for their historic paychecks.

“The worst part of it was feeling a little guilty, like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m going here to do something I love,’” he shared in an exit interview withEntertainment Weeklytimed to the hit NBC comedy’s series finale in 2004 (which was included in PEOPLE’s recentFriendsspecial edition).

NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The actor, who playedChandler BingonFriends, talked with PEOPLE for a2022 cover storyabout the joys of filming the 10-season sitcom alongside costars — and real-life friends —Jennifer Aniston,Courteney Cox,Lisa Kudrow,Matt LeBlancandDavid Schwimmer.

“I don’t belittle how fun the experience has been onFriends,” he explained. “And the money was amazing. Just the creative experience of being on the show probably saved my life.”

Perry — who was open about hisstruggle with addiction— added: “When you’re making a million dollars a week, you can’t drink the 37th drink. You have to go home and go to sleep. … That was the greatest job in the world.”

Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston in ‘Friends’,.Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty

However, the actor admitted he wouldlet go of all of his fame and fortuneto avoid addiction.

“The fact that I would trade it all to not have this disease is true,” he said.

Perry was founddeadat his Los Angeles-area home on Oct. 28. Sources told TMZ that first responders were called to the residence for cardiac arrest, and no illicit drugs were found at the scene.

In addition, the outlet obtained 911 dispatch audio in which “drowning” is referenced.

Matthew Perry poses at the opening night for “Six Degrees of Separation” on Broadway at The Barrymore Theatre on April 25, 2017.Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Friendscreators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, as well as executive producerKevin Bright, also issued a joint statement.

Kaufman, Crane and Bright’s statement concluded, “We will always cherish the joy, the light, the blinding intelligence he brought to every moment — not just to his work, but in life as well. He was always the funniest person in the room. More than that, he was the sweetest, with a giving and selfless heart."

PEOPLE confirmed that Perrywas laid to reston Nov. 3 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. All five of hisFriendscostars were in attendance for the service.

source: people.com