Matthew Perry Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $120M |
| Friends Salary (S9-10) | $1M/episode |
| Total Friends Earnings | $90M |
| Death Date | Oct 28, 2023 (age 54) |
| Estate Liquid | $1.5M |
| Trust Beneficiaries | Parents, half-sister, ex Rachel Dunn |
Williamstown Wonder Kid: Matthew Perry’s Early Life and Path to Stardom
Matthew Perry net worth in 2025 remains a poignant $120 million, a fortune that continues to generate millions annually through syndication and residuals, even two years after his tragic passing on October 28, 2023, at age 54. Born Matthew Langford Perry on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, he spent his first year in Newfoundland, Canada, with his mother Suzanne Perry (former press secretary to Pierre Trudeau) and stepfather Keith Morrison (Dateline NBC correspondent) before moving to Los Angeles at age 3. His parents divorced when he was one; father John Bennett Perry, a model and actor (General Hospital), raised him with a flair for performance—Matthew’s first stage role was at 6 in a school play.
A tennis prodigy (junior nationals at 13), injuries shifted him to acting at Los Angeles High School (grad 1987), where he honed improv at The Groundlings. Early TV: Second City Television (1983, age 14), Silver Spoons (1983-1984, $5K/episode). Breakthrough: Boys Will Be Boys (1987 miniseries), then A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988 film, $50K). By 1990, at 21, Beverly Hills, 90210 (Sandy Walsh, 3 episodes) and Home Free (Matt Bailey, 1993, $20K/episode) built his resume amid early alcohol struggles.
Friends Phenomenon: Matthew Perry Friends Salary Per Episode and $90M Windfall
Matthew Perry Friends salary per episode started modestly but skyrocketed, fueling his net worth’s core. Cast in Chandler Bing (1994 pilot, age 24), he earned $22,500 per episode for Season 1 (24 episodes, $540,000 total). Season 2 doubled to $40,000 ($960,000 total). By Season 3, $63,381 ($1.5M total). Season 4: $85,000 ($2.1M). Season 5: $100,000 ($2.4M). Season 6: $125,000 ($3M). Seasons 7-8: $750,000 ($18M each).
Seasons 9-10: $1 million per episode ($24M Season 9, $17M Season 10)—historic group negotiation led by David Schwimmer ensured parity, as Perry detailed in his 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: “I owe you about $30M, David.” Total from episodes: $90 million, plus $2.5M each for 2021 reunion special. Residuals: $10-20 million annually per cast member from $1B syndication/streaming.
Post-Friends Pivot: $20M+ from Sitcoms, Films, and Memoir
Matthew Perry net worth diversified post-2004: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2006-2007, $150K/episode, $1.8M total). Mr. Sunshine (2011, $200K/episode, $1.2M). Go On (2012-2013, $175K/episode, $2.1M). Films: 17 Again (2009, $3M with Zac Efron), Fools Rush In (1997, $1M). Voice: King of the Hill ($50K episodes). Memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022) sold 1M+ copies, netting $3 million advance/royalties. Total post-Friends: $20-30 million.
The Tragic End and Estate: $1.5M Liquid Assets, $120M Trust Legacy
Matthew Perry died October 28, 2023, from acute ketamine effects (accidental drowning in hot tub), aged 54—net worth $120 million at passing. Bank account: $1.5 million ($1,596,914.47), per probate filings (July 2024). The rest in Alvy Singer Living Trust (2009, Woody Allen nod), holding properties ($20M LA penthouse, 2017; Hollywood Hills home, $5M 2023) and residuals. Beneficiaries: Father John Perry, mother Suzanne Morrison, half-sister Caitlin Morrison, ex Rachel Dunn (2003-2005). No spouse/kids; Estate taxes/admin ~$45M, leaving $70-75M net ($17-18M each beneficiary) + ongoing Friends royalties ($10-20M/year split). Matthew Perry Foundation (addiction aid) receives portions.
Personal Struggles: Addiction’s Toll on the Fortune
Matthew Perry’s battles with addiction—alcohol from age 14, opioids post-1997 car crash—dented his wealth: 15 rehabs ($5M+ costs), memoir details $9M spent on recovery. Despite $1M/episode peaks, he told Diane Sawyer (2004): “Guilty cashing Friends checks—addiction ate it.” Sober spells (2003-2011, 2017-2023) allowed pivots like Mr. Sunshine ($200K/episode).
Matthew Perry Friends Salary Timeline
| Season | Salary Per Episode | Total Season Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (1994-95) | $22,500 | $540,000 | Group debut |
| 2 (1995-96) | $40,000 | $960,000 | Doubled |
| 3 (1996-97) | $63,381 | $1.5M | Steady rise |
| 4 (1997-98) | $85,000 | $2.1M | Emmy buzz |
| 5 (1998-99) | $100,000 | $2.4M | Golden Globe nom |
| 6 (1999-00) | $125,000 | $3M | Schwimmer-led negotiation |
| 7-8 (2000-02) | $750,000 | $18M each | Peak parity |
| 9 (2003-04) | $1M | $24M | Historic $1M/episode |
| 10 (2004-05) | $1M | $17M | Finale season |
| Reunion (2021) | N/A | $2.5M | Special |
6 Most Popular FAQs About Matthew Perry Net Worth and Friends Salary (2025)
1. What was Matthew Perry’s net worth? Matthew Perry net worth was $120 million at death (2023)—$1.5M liquid, rest in Alvy Singer Trust.
2. Matthew Perry Friends salary per episode? $1 million per episode Seasons 9-10 (2003-2005); Started $22,500 Season 1; Total $90M from show.
3. How much from Friends residuals? $10-20 million annually per cast member from $1B syndication/streaming—Perry’s share continues via trust.
4. Matthew Perry estate beneficiaries? Father John Perry, mother Suzanne Morrison, half-sister Caitlin Morrison, ex Rachel Dunn—$70-75M net after taxes.
5. Matthew Perry death cause? Acute ketamine effects (accidental drowning in hot tub, October 28, 2023, age 54)—probate filings confirmed.
6. Matthew Perry memoir earnings? $3 million advance/royalties for Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022, 1M+ copies).
Conclusion: Matthew Perry Net Worth 2025 – $120M of Chandler’s Enduring Charm
Matthew Perry net worth’s $120 million—$90M from Friends’ $1M/episode glory, $20-30M from post-show gigs, $3M memoir—lives on in residuals ($10-20M/year) and the Alvy Singer Trust, a poignant legacy for his family amid addiction’s toll. From Williamstown tennis whiz to Chandler’s sarcastic soul, Perry’s fortune funded recovery (15 rehabs) and the Matthew Perry Foundation (addiction aid). Two years gone, his $1.5M bank balance belies the billions Friends still spins—proof laughter’s the richest return.
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