Annie
The One About Matthew Perry: Netflix Documentary Revisits the Life Behind Chandler Bing
Matthew Perry made the world laugh for ten years as Chandler Bing, while privately fighting a long battle with addiction. A new Netflix documentary now looks at both sides of that story, just as the third anniversary of his death arrives.
What the Documentary Is
The One About Matthew Perry was released on October 27 and is directed by Mary Robertson. The three-part series brings together relatives, longtime friends, and collaborators to talk about the life behind Chandler Bing.
Who Appears in It
The series includes Perry’s sister, Mia Perry Bowick, along with previously unreleased photographs and videos from the family’s collection. Other participants include Tim Harrington, a friend Perry met at a recovery meeting in 2001 who says the actor saved his life, and West Huddleston, an advocate who worked with Perry on drug court campaigns.
That focus on recovery and advocacy matters. Perry spent years speaking openly about addiction, and the series aims to show how much he helped other people.
Why the Timing Matters
The documentary arrives after all five defendants prosecuted in connection with his death pleaded guilty and were sentenced. Here is where the legal case stands, according to reports:
- Perry’s death was attributed to the acute effects of ketamine.
- Jasveen Sangha, known as the “Ketamine Queen,” was jailed for 15 years.
- Drug counselor Erik Fleming was sentenced to two years in prison.
- A second doctor was sentenced to eight months of home confinement.
- Dr. Salvador Plasencia was the fourth person to plead guilty, admitting to distributing ketamine to Perry.
A Life in Brief
Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and was only 24 when he was cast in Friends. The show ran for ten seasons, ending in 2004. In November 2022, he released his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, where he wrote about his time on Friends and his long struggle with addiction.
He died at 54 in October 2023. He had struggled openly with addiction for decades but appeared to colleagues to be getting better when he died.
His Legacy
Perry is remembered for sarcastic one-liners and perfect comic timing, but the part of his story that keeps resonating is his honesty. By speaking publicly about addiction, he helped many people feel less alone. The new documentary gives the people who loved him a chance to tell that part of the story.
Quick Facts
- Born: August 19, 1969, Williamstown, Massachusetts
- Died: October 28, 2023, aged 54
- Known for: Chandler Bing in Friends
- Memoir: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022)
- New release: The One About Matthew Perry on Netflix
FAQ
When was The One About Matthew Perry released?
October 27, 2026, on Netflix.
Who directed the documentary?
Mary Robertson.
How old was Matthew Perry when he died?
54.