News broke over the weekend of the untimely passing of actor and playwright Matthew Perry at the age of 54. He was best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the beloved sitcom Friends, but his legacy stretches beyond this iconic role. Perry was also a passionate video gamer, with his love for video games reflecting in his personal and professional life.
Perry's affinity for video games was often evident on his social media platforms, where he regularly posted about the games he was playing. This love for gaming once garnered Perry a voice acting credit in the video game Fallout: New Vegas, where he voiced the character Benny. Perry joked on The Ellen Show about how he injured his hand from playing Fallout 3 so intensely.
In the early seasons of Friends, Perry's character, Chandler, was shown to be a fan of the trending video game, Doom. It was later revealed that Perry was the one who wrote some of his own gags in the show, showing how ahead of the curve he and the show were in recognizing and reflecting pop cultural phenomena.
Upon Friends’ final season in 2004, the book Friends 'Til The End: The One With The Whole Ten Years gave fans a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of the cast. In it, a photo of Perry's dressing room included a TV and a variety of gaming consoles— a testament to his passion for gaming.
Throughout his life, Perry's love for gaming remained strong. He was once noted for posting about playing Klonoa on Wii in 2009, and was photographed playing games with fellow gaming enthusiast and rapper, Snoop Dogg.
Apart from acting and gaming, Perry's life was marked by struggles with addiction, which he bravely addressed in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing. Despite his battles, Perry used his platform and experiences to become an advocate for rehabilitation. He worked as a spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, exhibiting a desire to help others grappling with similar struggles.
Perry's untimely loss is being mourned by fans of Friends and gamers worldwide. Being a part of popular culture and the global gaming community, Perry left a lasting impact on both fields, making his absence even more profound. Matthew Perry may no longer be with us, but his influence, talent, and passion for video games will certainly be remembered for generations to come. His loss reminds us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the joy and creativity that individuals like Perry bring into our lives. Rest in peace, Matthew Perry—actor, playwright, and gamer extraordinaire.
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