29 October 2023 , 02:17
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Matthew Perry has sadly died, aged 54. The Hollywood star was one of everyone's favourite characters on Friends - sarcastic but not unkind and had a soft spot for all of his loved ones.
As Chandler Bing, he captured millions of hearts - and won even more off-screen when he bravely spoke out about his battles with addiction in a bid to help others struggling.
He was one of Hollywood's most recognisable actors, starring opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer - with the group winning over millions thanks to their hilarious one-liners and close-knit friendship.
As Chandler, he played the quick-witted, insecure and neurotic roommate of LeBlanc's Joey and a close friend of Schwimmer's Ross.
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Matthew was 'immediately taken' by Jennifer (WireImage)
The pair met prior to starring on Friends (NBCUniversal via Getty Images)By the series' end, Chandler was married to Cox's Monica and they have a family - but off-screen, Perry was actually interested in another cast member.
He once left fans overjoyed after admitting that he had a big crush on his Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston, but she reportedly turned him down and had a "deafening lack of interest".
The 54-year-old actor said he met Jennifer, also 54, before they started filming the hit sitcom and was "immediately taken" by her presence.
Matthew called the actress to try and impress her with two roles he had booked, but she was allegedly left unimpressed. He details the moment in his upcoming memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, in which he also talks openly about his alcohol and drug addiction battle.
"It was clear that this made her think I liked her too much, or in the wrong kind of way," he wrote.
Despite the awkward encounter, Matthew proceeded to ask her on a date. He claims that she denied the offer and suggested they just be friends.
"[We] can't be friends," Matthew then blurted out. The two actors later sat down for their first Friends table read in 1994.
The actor details their first encounter in his upcoming memoir (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Friends ran for 10 years (NBC via Getty Images)While Matthew still had romantic feelings for Jennifer, he said they "were able to sail right past the past and focus on the fact that we had both gotten the best job Hollywood had to offer".
Matthew's feelings for the Marley & Me star continued throughout the making of Friends and he said he often found himself overthinking their casual interactions.
Luckily for Matthew, he slowly got over Jennifer due to both the show’s success and her continued "deafening lack of interest".
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The 17 Again actor said he had "long since gotten over" Jennifer by the time she started dating Brad Pitt in 1998 and was able to speak to her "without it being awkward".