Biography for
Matthew Perry (I)

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Date of Birth

19 August 1969, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA

Birth Name

Matthew Langford Perry

Nickname

Matty

Height

5' 11½" (1.82 m)

Mini Biography

Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Matthew Perry was raised in Ottawa, Ontario, where he became a top-ranked junior tennis player in Canada. However, after moving to Los Angeles at the age of 15 to live with his father (actor John Bennett Perry), he became more interested in acting. In addition to performing in several high school stage productions, he remained an avid tennis player. Perry ranked 17th nationally in the junior singles category and third in the doubles category. Upon graduating from high school, Perry intended to enroll at the University of Southern California. However, when he was offered a leading role on the television series, "Second Chance" (1987), he seized the opportunity to begin his acting career.

Perry appeared in the hit comedy film The Whole Nine Yards (2000), as the neighbor of a hit man played by Bruce Willis. His other feature film credits include _Fools Rush In (1997)_, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988), She's Out of Control (1989) and Parallel Lives (1994) (TV). He also co-starred with Chris Farley in the buddy comedy Almost Heroes (1998) and in the romantic comedy, Three to Tango (1999), opposite Neve Campbell. Perry currently resides in Los Angeles. He enjoys playing ice hockey and softball in his spare time.

IMDb Mini Biography By: C G Zeh

Trivia

Attended Ashbury College, a private boys' school in Ottawa, Canada.

Son of John Bennett Perry.

Raised in Ottawa, Canada.

Mother, Suzanne Morrison, was the press agent for Pierre Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, during the seventies and eighties.

he asked that his name be removed from the Best Actor in a Comedy Emmy list. "Friends" (1994) co-stars have all agreed that they would only be nominated in supporting roles. [June 2000]

Missing part of his middle finger on his right hand, this is due to an unfortunate door-shutting accident in nursery school.

Used to be ranked nationally in junior tennis in Canada. He has said on interviews that he tried to play in the States but he wasn't good enough.

Entered a rehabilitation clinic for treatment of an undisclosed condition. [27 February 2001]

A 75 year old woman ran a stop sign and smashed into the side of Matthew's BMW. Neither party was injured. [18 April 2001]

Stepson of Keith Morrison, NBC newscaster. Half-brother of Caitlin (b. 1981); Emily (b. 1985); Willy (b. 1987); Madeleine (b. 1989); and Marie Perry.

"Friends" (1994) castmate Jennifer Aniston offers to be his personal trainer after he received threats from bosses Warner Brothers about his increasing weight problems [2002]

"Friends" (1994) castmates agree to enter themselves for consideration in the leading role catagories at the Emmys. [2002]

Turned down a role in Independence Day (1996). The part he was offered was eventually taken by Harry Connick Jr..

Has dual citizenship in Canada and the USA.

Made his world stage debut in the West End in London alongside Minnie Driver. [May 2003]

Appeared in the top 30 of Forbes Top 100 Celebrity rich list for the first time [2003]

He is the only central cast member of "Friends" (1994) who has not been nominated for a Razzie.

Following the May 6, 2004 airing of the "Friends" (1994) series finale, he and the rest of the show's cast were on the Jay Leno broadcast from the Central Perk set in the "Friends" (1994) studio.

His father appeared on an episode of "Friends" (1994), as the father of one of Jennifer Aniston's boyfriends.

The part of Maj. Don West in Lost in Space (1998) was originally offered to him, but eventually went to "Friends" (1994) co-star Matt LeBlanc.

His favorite NHL team is the Ottawa Senators. He often attends the playoff games in Ottawa, Canada. He attended this year's playoff games between Ottawa and Toronto Maple Leafs (2004).

According to an interview, Matthew claimed that when he was filming A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988) he had formed a star complex and would cockily ask his fellow co-stars what they planned on doing now that "they were on their way". He then said that reality settled in once the movie was released and nothing happened.

He spoke the last line in the final episode of "Friends" (1994). When it's suggested that they all go out for coffee, his character Chandler says "Where?".

His father, John Bennett Perry, played his father in Fools Rush In (1997).

He enjoys playing ice hockey and softball in his spare time

Is the youngest cast member of "Friends" (1994).

When auditioning for the part of Chandler Bing, he didn't need a script because he knew the pilot by heart. He had been helping a friend with the part before auditioning himself.

Auditioned for Chandler Bing on a Friday and started work on that Monday.

Behind the scenes of "Friends" (1994), Perry was very close friends with co-star Jennifer Aniston.

Matthew's wit is so legendary that directors often used his gags and suggestions on the show

Is on the board of directors for the soon-to-be-opened Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Ron Clark is a world-renowned educator who Perry depicted in the TNT original film The Ron Clark Story (2006) (TV).

His real father, John Bennett Perry, played his father when he guest-starred on the Scrubs episode 'My Unicorn'.

Was the Ottawa Loggers 10th selection in the 1996 RHI (Roller Hockey International) draft.

Close friends with "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" co-star Bradley Whitford.

Is a Toronto Blue Jays Fan.

In season 1, episode 16 of "The West Wing", Matthew Perry was mentioned as a guest at a party the president was attending in L.A. He later played the character of Joe Quincy in three episodes during the third and fourth season.

He is close friends with actor Hank Azaria.

Godfather of Reagan "Fletch" Holder, the son of Christine and Mark Holder.

Personal Quotes

"I learned to fall down early in life - I was like six - because I realized it was a way to make girls laugh."

Salary

The Whole Ten Yards (2004)	$5,000,000
The Whole Nine Yards (2000)	$3,000,000
Three to Tango (1999)	$2,500,000
Fools Rush In (1997)	$1,000,000

Where Are They Now

(June 2003) Performing "Sexual Perversity In Chicago" alongside Minnie Driver, Hank Azaria and Kelly Reilly in London's Comedy Theatre.

(September 2003) Is now doing the tenth and the final season of "Friends" (1994), the first episode will be aired on the 25th of September.

(February 2005) Filming a new movie called _Beginning of Wisdom, The (2005)_ with his dad.

(August 2006) Working on his new TV series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

(December 2007) Filming the movie "Seventeen Again".

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