Matthew Perry’s memoir “Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing” has seen a massive 2,504% spike in sales following the actor’s tragic passing in October 2023 at age 54. The book provides rare insight into Perry’s struggles with addiction and his experience as Chandler Bing on the hit sitcom “Friends.”
The Sudden Popularity of Matthew Perry’s Memoir
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Within days of the news breaking about Perry’s untimely death, Matthew Perry’s Memoir skyrocketed to the #1 spot on Amazon’s best seller list. According to Publishers Weekly, nearly 96,000 copies of the book had sold in the first week after its release in November 2022. However, People now reports that sales have doubled in recent months, with over 2.5 million copies sold to date – a staggering 2,504% increase.
The popularity of the book has mirrored renewed interest in “Friends” and Perry’s iconic character Chandler Bing. Sales of “Friends” DVDs, Chandler Bing t-shirts, and other merchandise have similarly spiked since Perry’s passing. Clearly, fans are eager to reconnect with the actor and his most famous role.
Matthew Perry’s Memoir: Candid Stories About Addiction
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A significant portion of Matthew Perry’s Memoir focuses on his decades-long battle with alcohol and drug addiction. He is candid about the depths of his substance abuse, including nearly dying at age 49 after his colon burst from opioid overuse. Perry spent two weeks in a coma and five months hospitalized afterwards.
Some of the book’s most gripping moments detail Perry’s agonizing withdrawals, stints in rehab, and relapses. He also discusses feeling jealous of his seemingly more stable “Friends” co-stars at the height of his addiction struggles. Perry lays bare his vulnerabilities and the constant fear that his addictions would end his career.
Matthew Perry’s Memoir: Behind-the-Scenes “Friends” Tales
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While the addiction chapters are raw and emotive, Perry balances them with fun behind-the-scenes stories about “Friends.” He discloses that he came up with the idea for his character Chandler Bing to awkwardly joke around as a defense mechanism.
Perry also shares insights into the cast’s legendary chemistry, like how they would huddle backstage before every taping. Interesting nuggets include Perry secretly nursing crushes on Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts, and how the actors negotiated their massive $1 million per episode paychecks together.
Matthew Perry’s Memoir And His Near-Death Experience at 49
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One of the most shocking revelations in Perry’s memoir is the severity of his opioid addiction in his late 40s. In 2018, at age 49, he suffered a gastrointestinal perforation from overuse of Vicodin. Doctors warned his family he had a 2% chance to live after his colon burst.
Perry was in a coma for two weeks and hospitalized for five months afterwards. He discloses that he had to use a colostomy bag for nine months. At one point, Perry writes that five other patients in similar condition died during his hospital stay, which Survivor’s Guilt. His near-death experience provided perspective to get sober.
Matthew Perry’s Memoir: Love, Loss, and Learning to Be Alone
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Aside from discussing addiction and fame, Perry opens up about his colorful dating history. He describes falling for Julia Roberts after she guest-starred on “Friends,” but timing prevented a relationship. Perry also details his other high-profile romances with stars like Heather Graham and Neve Campbell.
However, his most serious relationship was with fiancée Molly Hurwitz, who he proposed to while on hydrocodone. Perry poignantly writes about losing Hurwitz after getting sober, and subsequently learning to embrace solitude during the pandemic. Despite past relationships, he concludes that his one true lifelong partner has been addiction itself.
Hopes for Matthew Perry’s Legacy after “Friends”
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In the memoir, Perry expresses wanting to be known for more than just his Chandler Bing character. He dreamed of launching a rehab facility to help others battling addiction. Tragically, Perry passed away before seeing that goal realized.
However, his family has since started the Matthew Perry Foundation to support those struggling with substance abuse, as he wished. Ultimately, Perry hoped speaking out so candidly about his addictions in “Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing” would provide insight and hope to others facing similar battles.
Matthew Perry’s vulnerable memoir “Friends, Lovers & The Big Terrible Thing” has seen a massive boost in sales since the actor’s death. Clearly the book has provided fans with closure, perspective on his struggles with addiction, and a deeper appreciation for his talent. Perry’s raw honesty will ensure his legacy extends far beyond the television screen.
