Net Worth Ranker
What Is Matthew Perry’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing on October 28, 2023, Matthew Perry, the celebrated American actor and comedian, had a net worth estimated at $120 million. This substantial wealth was accumulated through a successful career in television and film, most notably his iconic role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom “Friends.”
Matthew Perry’s “Friends” Salary and Royalties
Perry’s financial success was significantly shaped by his involvement in “Friends,” one of the most successful television shows of all time. During the show’s ten-season run (1994-2004), he appeared in all 236 episodes. In the initial season, each cast member earned $22,500 per episode, totaling $540,000 for the season. This figure increased to $40,000 per episode in the second season, reaching $960,000 for the entire season.
Ahead of the third season, the cast negotiated collectively, securing substantial pay raises. Their salaries increased to $75,000 per episode for season three ($1.875 million for the season), $85,000 for season four ($2.04 million), $100,000 for season five ($2.5 million), and $125,000 for season six ($3.125 million). By seasons seven and eight, each cast member was earning $750,000 per episode, amounting to $18 million per season. For the final two seasons (9 and 10), they reached the peak of $1 million per episode, translating to $24 million for season nine and $18 million for season ten. In total, Matthew Perry earned approximately $90 million in base salary alone from “Friends.”
Beyond the base salary, the cast secured backend points as part of their 2000 contract negotiations, granting them royalties from the show’s syndication. “Friends” continues to generate over $1 billion per year in syndication royalties and streaming deals. It has been reported that each cast member can earn between $10 and $20 million annually from these royalties. These ongoing royalties have significantly contributed to Matthew Perry’s net worth.
Matthew Perry’s Early Career and Roles Before “Friends”
Before achieving widespread fame with “Friends,” Matthew Perry had a steady acting career, showcasing his talent in various television shows and films. He gained recognition for his theater work during high school. After relocating to Los Angeles, he consistently secured guest-starring roles on numerous television shows. These included appearances on “Charles in Charge,” “Silver Spoons,” “Just the Ten of Us,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Growing Pains,” “Empty Nest,” “Who’s the Boss?”, “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and “Sibs.”
Perry also appeared in films and television movies such as “A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,” “Dance ’til Dawn,” “She’s Out of Control,” “Call Me Anna,” and “Deadly Relations.” Furthermore, he starred in several short-lived sitcoms, including “Second Chance,” “Sydney,” and “Home Free.” These early roles contributed to his experience and established him as a working actor in Hollywood.
Initially, Perry was unavailable for the audition for “Friends” because he was committed to filming a show called “LAX 2194.” However, the project was delayed, allowing Perry to audition and ultimately land the role of Chandler Bing. His early career paved the way for his breakthrough success on “Friends.”
Matthew Perry’s Film and Television Work Beyond “Friends”
While best known for “Friends,” Matthew Perry also had a successful career in other television shows and films. During his time on “Friends,” he acted in films such as “Three To Tango,” “Almost Heroes,” “Fools Rush In,” and “The Whole Nine Yards.” He starred in the TNT movie “The Ron Clark Story” in 2006, for which he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. In 2005, he appeared in “The Beginning of Sorrows,” a short film.
He also starred in TV shows “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”, “Go On”. These roles further solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor. These additional projects contributed to his overall earnings and fame in the entertainment industry, adding to Matthew Perry’s net worth.
Matthew Perry’s Real Estate Investments
Matthew Perry engaged in numerous real estate transactions throughout his career, reflecting his financial success and investment strategies. After the first season of “Friends,” he bought his first home in Los Angeles and sold it in 2001 for $2 million. In 1999, he purchased a 6,500-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $3.2 million, renovated it extensively, and sold it in 2005 for $6.9 million.
In 2005, he acquired a condo in West Hollywood that had previously belonged to Elton John for $1.7 million and sold it in 2014 for $5.7 million. In 2008, he bought a home in Los Angeles for $4.475 million and sold it in 2011 for $4.6 million. In 2011, he purchased a beachfront home in Malibu for $12 million. He listed this property for sale in August 2020 for $15 million and sold it in January 2021 for $13.1 million. In 2015, Perry sold another home in Malibu for $10.65 million.
In 2017, Matthew Perry paid $20 million for a large penthouse apartment in Century City, California. He listed the penthouse for sale in August 2019 for $35 million and eventually accepted $21.6 million in June 2021. Rihanna was the buyer. In 2018, he sold another Los Angeles area home for $12.5 million. In 2020, Perry paid $6 million for a home in LA’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood. In June 2023, he paid $5 million for a home in the Hollywood Hills.
These real estate transactions demonstrate Perry’s savvy investments in the property market. The profits from these sales contributed significantly to his financial portfolio and overall Matthew Perry’s net worth.
Matthew Perry’s Memoir
In October 2022, Matthew Perry published his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.” The book became a bestseller on Amazon and with The New York Times. The memoir provided insights into Perry’s life, career, and struggles with addiction. The success of the memoir further contributed to Matthew Perry’s net worth.
Matthew Perry’s Personal Life
Matthew Perry was born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts. His mother, Suzanne, is a Canadian-born journalist and the former secretary to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. His father, John Bennett Perry, is an actor and model. His parents divorced before he turned one. In 1981, when Matthew was 12, his mother Suzanne married journalist Keith Morrison, who would later become famous as a correspondent on “Dateline NBC.” Perry held citizenship in both Canada and the United States.
He dated Yasmine Bleeth in 1995, Julia Roberts from 1995 to 1996, and Lizzy Caplan from 2006 to 2012. In November 2020, he got engaged to Molly Hurwitz, but they called off the engagement in June 2021.
Perry battled addiction to drugs and alcohol over the years. He became addicted to Vicodin after a jet-ski accident in 1997 and completed a 28-day rehab program later that year. He entered rehab again in February 2001 for an addiction to Vicodin, methadone, amphetamines, and alcohol. He claimed to have spent $9 million to get sober. Perry stated that he doesn’t remember three years of his time on “Friends” due to his addiction issues, specifically the time between seasons three and six. Perry became a celebrity spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals in 2011 and received a Champion of Recovery award in May 2013 from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for opening the Perry House sober living facility in his former Malibu mansion. He sold the home and closed the rehab center in 2015. Matthew Perry had been sober since May 2021.
