My Review:

Like so many in my generation, Must See TV was part of Thursday night entertainment for years, and Friends was a big part of that fun. Matthew Perry’s good looks, awkward charm and comedic timing always conjured laughs and he developed a loyal fan base over the years, me included. I knew he was fighting drug addiction but had no idea the extent of his battle and the troubles he endured, consuming his life and impacting his mental and physical health, almost to a fatal detriment.

In his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Perry shares his obsessions with drugs, alcohol and women, his career successes and downfalls and his uncontrollable addiction which sent him to rehab numerous times, ruining so many years of his life. He talks about his low self esteem, his parents and family life, and the loss of friends and colleagues, Chris Farley and River Phoenix. From his colon exploding to all his teeth falling out, the poor guy has endured physical, mental and emotional pain beyond your wildest imagination. He seems to have hit rock bottom and is working his way back to a place of peace. Finding self worth in mentoring others, he perpetually embarks on maintaining a sober lifestyle. I hope he now has a renewed sense of courage after sharing his story; I am still a fan and wish him good health and happiness. If you think you know someone based on their public facing self, whether it is an actor on Friends or a friend on social media, this book reinforces the fact that we all have the ability to show others only what we want them to see.

About the Author:

Matthew Langford Perry (born August 19, 1969) is an American-Canadian actor, comedian and producer. He is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the NBC television sitcom Friends (1994–2004). Read More Here