Over quarantine, I rewatched the hit sitcom “Friends” six times. It was a show that kept me smiling in a time where positivity was difficult to find–with the exception of on a COVID test. While all six main characters were unique in their own ways, Chandler was by far my favorite, and the one who was able to make me laugh to an unparalleled degree. Subsequently, learning that the actor who played my all-time favorite TV series character had passed away genuinely felt unreal.

Upon learning of his tragic death, several took to social media to discuss this Emmy-nominated “Friends” star, and the lasting impact his role on the show had on millions of lives. Junior Sophia Baranic said, “I grew up watching “Friends” with my family, and to lose someone as talented as Matthew Perry is truly tragic.” However, prior to his passing, Perry revealed the hopes he had for the legacy he would leave. Throughout his life, Matthew Perry struggled with alcohol and opioid addiction, and was transparent about his hospitalization and several rehabilitations throughout his life. He used his platform to raise awareness about addiction, created a sober living facility for men called Perry House in Malibu, wrote a play entitled The End of Longing, and wrote Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir. 

Junior Emma Weibel said, “It’s very inspiring how he worked so hard to better himself and his community, and that even though a lot of his struggles were underground, he spoke up about it.” Beyond being a shining light for millions of people in his several on-screen roles, Matthew Perry strived to help people through their struggles with addiction, which was a truly inspirational endeavor. 

While his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends” will forever be special to me and millions of others, it is imperative that we honor Matthew Perry for not only his talent, but also his incredible and unselfish character. As Perry stated in an interview last year, “when I die … it would be nice if Friends were listed far behind the things I did to try to help other people. I know it won’t happen, but it would be nice.”