Discovering the Secret Life of Comedy Star Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry was more than just your typical actor; he felt like a friend to us all. As soon as he scored the part of Chandler Bing on the beloved sitcom Friends, Perry became a name recognized in every home. Even though he was known for making everyone laugh with his wit and humor, there was a heartbreaking story hidden behind the late actor's glowing smile. With his sudden death still a fresh sorrow, it's time we celebrate his remarkable journey to stardom, and the roller coaster of highs and lows that shaped his personal and professional life.

A Star Is Born

Born on August 19th, 1969, in the state of Massachusetts, Matthew Langford Perry was the singular child of his famous parents, Suzanne Marie Morrison and John Bennett Perry. It's not a surprise the spotlight shone on him early, considering his parents held their own in the world of fame. His mother, once a beauty queen, served as press secretary for Pierre Trudeau, while his father pursued a successful career as an actor and model.

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Even though they both had careers that were meant to lead to a glamorous life of fame and fortune, Perry's parents split up when he was just one year. Perry mainly lived with his mother and her new spouse after their separation. Unbeknownst to everyone, this was merely the beginning of Perry's challenging and tumultuous childhood.

Time Alone

Perry's mom had a job that required her to work long and intense hours. As an only child, Perry was often left to his own devices. One standout memory from his early years is when he was just five years old -- he had to travel all by himself, flying from his mother's home in Ottawa, Canada, all the way to his dad's place in Los Angeles, California!

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Spending a lot of time by himself, Perry began to struggle with feelings of loneliness and self-doubt. To combat these feelings, he discovered using humor made things easier. A joke or funny story, he found, could always brighten up his mother's mood after a tiring day. While humor provided a temporary solution, Perry's family life was on the brink of going through a big transformation.

New Family

When Perry was just the age of 10, his mom and his stepdad, named Keith Morrison, had their very first child together. A girl they named Caitlin Morrison. From the moment he met her, Perry felt an immediate bond and a wave of love for his new half-sister.

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As Perry's family started to grow bigger, it became harder for him to feel connected. He felt like a stranger in his own family, and that made him feel even more alone. Soon, Perry began showing signs of his loneliness by behaving badly. It's common for kids to rebel at times, but Perry went above and beyond the usual trouble-making. It wasn't just typical rebellion; Perry was acting out on a whole different level, trying to express the depth of his isolation.

Young and Reckless

Perry began to act out in unusual ways almost immediately after his little sister was born. He became a rather rebellious kid, slipping into habits such as stealing and smoking, behavior far too mature for his age. His school grades started taking a beating as well. Then, when Perry turned 14, he had his first sip of alcohol. It gave him a kind of comfort he'd never experienced before.

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"In an interview with Diane Sawyer, he confided, 'I thought to myself, this must be the way that normal people feel all the time.' Despite appearing to struggle, he was driven by one powerful thing that kept him going"