Matthew Perry Earned $1 Mn Per Episode on ‘Friends’; What was His Net Worth at the time of death?

Editor's note: This article was originally published on September 19, 2023. It has since been updated.

What was Matthew Perry's net worth?

Matthew Perry is best known for playing Chandler Bing on the immensely popular sitcom "Friends." But he is an author too. His journey from a young actor with guest appearances to becoming one of the highest-earning television stars is truly remarkable. Born on August 19, 1969 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Perry has had a prolific career in the entertainment industry and has amassed a net worth of $120 million, per Celebrity Net Worth.

How did Matthew Perry die?

Matthew Perry passed away after allegedly dying from drowning, reports Sky News. The actor was 54 at the time of passing. The tragedy occurred at the star's Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police received a 911 call at 4.07 pm local time. No foul play is suspected and an investigation has been opened into the incident.

Who found Matthew Perry?

Matthew Perry was discovered by his assistant in an unresponsive state. The assistant who had gone out for an errand just hours before his death. He had just reportedly returned home from a two-hour round of pickleball before sending his assistant out on an errand, reported Parade.

What were Matthew Perry's sources of income?

Matthew Perry's primary sources of income have been his acting career, royalties from "Friends" and book sales. His journey to stardom began with guest appearances on TV shows in the late 1980s. However, it was his role as Chandler Bing on "Friends" that catapulted him to worldwide fame. The show's massive success also helped him financially. Perry's films and television projects, including "The Whole Nine Yards" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," contributed to his income.

Matthew Perry's salary

Perry's salary over the 10 seasons of "Friends" showcases his financial ascent in the industry. For the first season, each cast member earned $22,500 per episode. Their earnings increased to $40,000 per episode in the second season. Then they negotiated as a group ahead of the third season, leading to substantial raises. Perry and his fellow cast members earned $75,000 per episode in season three, $85,000 in season four, $100,000 in season five, and $125,000 in season six. Courtney Cox one of his closest one has an estimated net worth of $150 million with Matt Le Blanc having $80 million, David Schwimmer $90 million, Lisa Kudrow $130 million and the highest one Jennifer Anniston with $320 million. 

Their earnings reached a remarkable $1 million per episode for seasons nine and 10. In total, Perry earned approximately $90 million in base salary from "Friends" alone, excluding backend bonuses and royalties. Apart from his acting career, Perry ventured into the world of literature. In October 2022, he published the memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," which became a bestseller on Amazon and The New York Times. This literary endeavor added to his income and diversified his portfolio.

Real estate and other assets

Matthew Perry has made several real estate investments throughout his career. In 2011, he purchased a beachfront home in Malibu for $11 million, which he sold for $13.1 million in 2021. In 2017, he acquired a penthouse apartment in Century City, California, for $20 million, eventually selling it for $21.6 million in 2021. These real estate transactions have contributed to his total assets although specific figures are not disclosed. Perry decided not to make and leave a will when he dies instead there was a trust named 'The Matthew Perry Foundation' which will be managing the distribution of his assets. Since he never got married or had any children, his parents or siblings will be inherting his wealth. 

Social media following

Personal life

Matthew Perry's personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. He has been romantically linked to several high-profile individuals, including Yasmine Bleeth, Julia Roberts and Lizzy Caplan. In November 2020, he got engaged to Molly Hurwitz, but the engagement was called off in June 2021, per Marca.

Perry's battle with addiction has been a well-documented part of his life. He struggled with substance abuse, particularly drugs and alcohol. Perry openly discussed his addiction to Opioids, specifically Vicodin, and was taking 55 pills a day. This habit even made him forget that he was filming during the seasons 3-6 of Friends. This not only affected his career but he faced several health issues including pancreatitis, colon burst and prescription Opioids which landed him in hospital beds forgetting a major chunk of his past day workings. Despite his challenges, he sought treatment and achieved sobriety. Perry became a spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and received recognition for his contributions to addiction recovery.

Awards and recognition

Matthew Perry's talent has earned him critical acclaim and recognition in the form of awards. Notably, he received an Emmy nomination in 2002 for his role as Chandler Bing in "Friends." He also received an Emmy nomination for his performance in "The Ron Clark Story." Additionally, Perry was honored with a Champion of Recovery award from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for his efforts in the field of addiction recovery.

FAQs

Who did Matthew Perry have a crush on?

Perry had a crush on Jennifer Aniston.

Who is Matthew Perry's longest relationship?

His longest relationship is with Lizzy Caplan.

How Much Did Matthew Perry Make For Fools Rush In?

Matthew Perry made $1 million for the movie Fools Rush In. 

How Much Were Matthew Perry's Friends Residuals?

Matthew Perry's friends made approximately $20 million annually in residuals. 

Who Is The Richest Star From Friends?

The richest one from 'Friends' is Jennifer Aniston with a net worth of $320 million. 

How Much Did Matthew Perry Make Selling His La Condo?

Matthew Perry made $21.6 million on selling his La Condo. 

How Much Did Matthew Perry Get Paid For Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip?

Perry and his rep was finally able to secure $175,000 for every episode.

When Did Mathew Perry Die?

Matthew Perry died on 28th October 2023. 

Did Matthew Perry Have Any Children?

Matthew dated a lot of women in his past but did not had any children from them.