Today would have been the 55th birthday of Matthew Perry, the beloved actor who brought Chandler Bing’s sharp wit and endearing mannerisms to life. His sudden death on October 28, 2023 at the age of 54 left an overwhelming void in the hearts of fans and friends. Yet in his absence, his legacy remains full of light, through unforgettable moments he gave us on Friends that shine into our lives like a bouquet of laughter and warmth. As Matthew himself said in 2022 while promoting his memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: “I want to be remembered as someone who lived well, loved well, and was a seeker.”
And so now we remember him, just as he wanted to be remembered. Chandler Bing wasn’t just a character, he was a friend to millions. Perry’s portrayal of the neurotic, sarcastic, but deeply lovable Chandler made him a cultural icon, a character we connected to in ways that were both comforting and real. From razor-sharp one-liners to tender vulnerabilities, he was someone we shared a little bit of ourselves with, rooted for, and laughed at. On Matthew Perry’s birthday, we remember the actor by reliving those magical moments with Chandler Bing that never failed to make us laugh, sometimes made us cry, or maybe just made us appreciate the actor who turned even the most mundane scenes into something special.
Trapped in the lobby of an ATM with Jill Goodacre
One of Chandler’s most memorable moments is in “The One with the Blackout,” where the magic of Chandler’s awkward charm really comes into play. Now, Chandler was a bundle of nerves, but this situation takes the cake: he’s stuck in the ATM lobby with Jill Goodacre, a Victoria’s Secret model. What follows is the beautiful mess of Chandler pretending to be cool while the voice in his head goes crazy. His nervous small talk and awkward nonchalance as he shares a piece of gum with Jill are pure comedic gold. This scene really did justice to Chandler’s endearing awkwardness; it taught you about physical comedy and self-deprecation, the things you just have to love.
Chandler’s unforgettable dance moves
From the tentative dance at Ross’ wedding to his comedic routine on New Year’s Eve, his unforgettable dance competition with Joey, and finally the touching final dance with Monica, each of these scenes adds depth and comedy to his character.
Love-hate relationship with Janice
No discussion of Chandler Bing would be complete without an in-depth examination of his fantastically chaotic relationship with Janice, played by Maggie Wheeler. Janice had a distinctive laugh and a classic catchphrase, “Oh. My. God,” that would forever be synonymous with Chandler’s on-off romance. Whether they broke up or got back together, every scene with Janice was pure gold for comedy lovers. Chandler’s panic to escape her constant comebacks added significantly to the humor.
Chandler’s escape plan from Yemen
In The One with All the Rugby, Chandler’s efforts to end his tumultuous relationship with Janice take a hilariously absurd turn. In his desperate attempt to break free, he concocts an elaborate story involving a job transfer to Yemen. As fate would have it, his far-fetched plan backfires spectacularly, leading him to actually buy a ticket and board a plane to Yemen just to keep up the charade.
Chandler Kissing and Confusing Moments (with Joey Sisters)!
Chandler’s friendship with Joey is one of the cornerstones of Friends, but everything gets hilariously complicated in “The One with All the Jealousy” when Chandler accidentally kisses one of Joey’s sisters at a party. The twist? He can’t remember which sister it was! As Chandler tries to identify the mystery woman while preventing Joey from discovering his mistake, the situation descends into a series of comic missteps and awkward confrontations.
Chandler’s Bound Mystery
In the episode “The Handcuffed One,” Chandler gets himself into this incredibly awkward situation when he has an affair with Rachel’s boss, Joanna. However, after this rather steamy rendezvous, Chandler ends up handcuffed to a filing cabinet in a situation that gets even more comical when Rachel accidentally stumbles upon him. Now it’s up to Rachel to decide whether to save her hapless boyfriend or leave him to flounder in his predicament. Perry’s comedic genius is on full display, no one does a better job of mixing panic with genuine humor. This is definitely one of the densest moments of physical comedy and classic Chandler charm.
Bing’s hilarious journey to the perfect yes!
One of the most touching and memorable moments in Friends is when Chandler proposes to Monica. This two-part season 6 finale is full of gags and sentimentality, from Chandler’s very complicated proposal plan to various hilarious mishaps and misunderstandings. Just when everything seemed to be going wrong, Chandler’s proposal became one of the most touching moments on television. From his heartfelt yet humorous speech to Monica’s tearful “yes,” this scene simply brilliantly showcased Perry’s incredible ability to combine comedy with genuine emotion. It was a testament to how Chandler’s character could make us laugh, cry, and fall in love with him over and over again.
Chandler and Joey’s competitive advantage
“The One with the Embryos” is one of the standout episodes of the Friends series, thanks in large part to Chandler’s humor. The stakes are high in the iconic trivia game that could determine whether Monica and Rachel get to keep their apartment or lose it to Chandler and Joey. In this episode, Chandler’s competitive spirit and sharp wit are at their best as he and Joey are drawn into a trivia contest for the ages. The fun culminates when Chandler and Joey move into the girls’ apartment after their victory. It was a moment of victory, with their infectious enthusiasm capturing what fans love about their friendship.
Moments of discomfort and joy
In “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” Phoebe hatches a plan to get Chandler to spill the beans on his secret romance with Monica. The date that follows is one of the most awkward and hilarious encounters in the show’s history. Perry’s portrayal of Chandler’s discomfort and eventual giving up is both funny and endearing; his chemistry with Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe) is on full display in this memorable scene.
End of an era, Chandler’s iconic final punchline
It was only right that Chandler got to say the final line of Friends, and what a fitting end to ten seasons of laughs. When the friends finally move out of Monica and Chandler’s apartment for good, Rachel wants them all to go out for coffee. To which Chandler responds with a very Chandler quip: “Sure… where?” It’s so simple, but so fitting for his character. It was Perry who perfectly placed that final punchline to end a show that had so capitulated in joy.
As we approach Matthew Perry’s 55th birthday, it goes without saying that his portrayal of the lovable and sarcastic Chandler Bing has truly impacted pop culture. Happy birthday, Matthew Perry. You may be gone, but we will never forget the laughs you gave us!
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