Matthew Perry's famous parents - from surprise Friends cameo to political career

The lateMatthew Perry was famous in his own right for his acting career - with his most famous role being that of joker Chandler Bing in Friends. But fans might not know his parents are famous too...

Tragically the much-loved star passed away on October 28, 2023 at the age of just 54 following a long battle with alcohol and drug addiction. A coroner's report revealed he'd taken ketamine and drowned in the hot tub at his Los Angeles home.

Now a new documentary about Matthew's life and the events leading up to his accidental overdose is set to air on ITV tonight called Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy.

It charts his early life in Ottawa, Canada, to his rise to fame and subsequent downfall to the addictions that gripped him throughout his adult life. Here's what we know about his parents and their own famous careers.

Matthew's parents split when before he was one

Matthew was born on 19 August 1969 to John Bennett Perry and Suzanne Morrison, who was just 20 years old when she gave birth.

They had married one year prior, but split when before Matthew had even turned one. He later said they were 'just too young' and 'not meant to be together.'

From the age of five he was put on a plane as an 'unaccompanied minor' from Montreal in Canada, where he lived with his mum, to Los Angeles in California, where he would visit his dad.

At first, Matthew thought this would be an exciting adventure, then he realised he was 'too young to be alone'. It's thought this feeling stayed with him and the first time he experienced drinking alcohol was at the age of 14 and said he felt 'the best I had in my entire life'.

His father was an actor - who had a cameo in Friends

Matthew's dad was an actor who appeared in various TV adverts, including the Old Spice commercials in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as shows like Little House on the Prairie and Murder, She Wrote.

The now 84-year-old even went on to star on-screen with his son when he appeared in a cameo in Friends in the Nineties. Fans might not have known at the time, but he appeared in season four episode The One With Rachel's New Dress.

In the famous scene, Rachel dons some sexy underwear and waits for boyfriend Joshua - but Joshua's dad Mr Burgin (played by Matthew's real-life pops) walks in instead.

But in his biography, Friends, Lovers and The Big, Terrible Thing, Matthew shares how: "I saw his face more often on TV and in magazines than I did in reality. Perhaps that's why I became an actor."

Matthew Perry's mum worked for a famous politician

Matthew's mum Suzanne is a journalist, TV anchor and former press secretary for Pierre Trudeau, the father of Justin Trudeau - both former Canadian prime ministers.

In his memoir, Matthew shared his frustration that his parents weren't around more, referring to himself as a 'latchkey kid'. He wrote: "That's when the bad behaviour started. I got s*** grades. I started smoking." He revealed he even 'beat up' Pierre's son, Justin!

Sharing what happened on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2017, he said: "I think he was excelling in a sport that we weren't, so it was pure jealousy. And, you know, we beat him up."

When Justin jokingly asked for a rematch when he was Prime Minister of Canada, Matthew politely declined and wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "I think I will pass at your request for a rematch, kind sir (given that you currently have an army at your disposal."

After his death, Justin paid tribute to his childhood friend and wrote: "I'll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy be brought them. Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew. You were loved - and will be missed."

Both of Matthew's parents went on to remarry and he has four younger siblings. Mum Suzanne had two daughters, Caitlin and Emily. While his dad John had a daughter, Maria, and a son, Will.

*Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy airs at 9pm on ITV on Monday, August 18 or watch now on ITVX

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