TV sitcoms come and go, but over the years, just a couple of them established a firm foot in the entertainment industry and the audience’s hearts. In the history of American sitcoms, Friends comes as one of the top horsemen of a power pack of comedy, friendship, and love. As the show became a routine, its characters, who formed the heart of the show, became part of the family of the fans. However, appearances are often deceptive and what we saw in the characters is not exactly what they were going through when the cameras were not rolling. 

The show’s popularity undoubtedly transcended borders to emerge as a household name in the 90s. But there were a lot more than just the six best friends living their life to the fullest. Speaking of the characters, Chandler Bing, played by award-winning Matthew Perry, was definitely the favorite for most fans with this gazillion worth of smiles. However, little did we know how he struggled to pull a facade while life took a toll on him. 

Matthew Perry struggled with Addictions, while his career peaked as Chandler Bing 

As reported by Metro, the now 53-year-old Matthew Perry was battling a troublesome life while Friends skyrocketed through the charts of the industry. He reportedly struggled with addictions to alcohol and painkillers off-screen. Ahead of a relaunch of the beloved sitcom in 2022, Perry broke down on the series of challenges he faced. Shortly after filming the much-loved seasons of the show, Chandler and Monica Geller’s wedding, his personal life took a darker turn as his issues went out of hand. 

Unable to help his addictions, the star started taking 55 Vicodin a day while filming Friends. The actor would typically make different excuses for various doctors to meet with his daily dosages. Speaking to Metro, he said, “I would fake back injuries. I would fake migraine headaches. I had eight doctors going at the same time”. “When you’re a drug addict, it’s all math,” he told the publication. 

The Friends Star had to rush to rehab post his iconic wedding scene with Courtney Cox 

Season 7 still rests in the heart of fans as one of the most beloved seasons of their favorite show. However, the memories attached to it are not so lovable for the actor who starred in it. Perry reportedly had to rush to his rehab center on a truck right after he ended filming the marriage season. 

“I married Monica and got driven back to the treatment centre,” confessed the star. While fans hoarded him with appreciation from all corners of the world, he was trying to calm down himself “in a pickup truck helmed by a sober technician“. However, he was not the only one from the sets who had to seek help to bring his life back on track.

Were you aware of this side of your Chandler Bing before? Share your thoughts on the same in the comments below.